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Lincoln Heights
Elementary School
Spokane Public Schools
3322 E 22nd Ave., Spokane, WA
99223
Spokane, Washington
Completion date: August 2006
“A Washington
Sustainable Schools Pilot Project”
Architectural
character was an important design goal. School and Community
stakeholders wanted to integrate the school building into this fully
developed and mature neighborhood by breaking up the mass of this 55,000
square foot building and by selecting suitable materials and colors for
the building exterior. Specific architectural forms, elements,
materials, finishes, and colors provide a sense of timelessness and
sophistication appropriate to a public building of this character.
The integration of
School and Community were key components in the development of the
project’s goals, including community input into the design of the
facility. Community spaces include a Community Use Room, featuring an
art area, kitchen, and storage; gymnasium space configured for community
use in both size and location; and a Health Room with community access.
The overall site
concept for the Lincoln Heights Elementary School has been developed in
direct response to the numerous conditions established by the design
goals – particularly creating a neighborhood school identity, by the
program, and by the site characteristics.
The building and
parking areas were located at the west end of the site along the high
volume Ray Street traffic corridor. This put the building’s “public
face” on the public side of the site and also created a strong edge
barrier which protects and reserves the majority of the site for the
interior of the neighborhood. Neighborhood residences front the streets
along the site’s south and east edges. The backyards of residences
along 22nd Avenue form the sites north boundary.
The general school
grounds provide opportunities for learning about environmental systems
and the way that architecture and site design can be environmentally
sensitive. The amphitheater seats near the playground provide an
excellent outdoor classroom and can serve in drama plays, band
practices, and art classes. The area designated as an “outdoor
classroom” provides opportunities to learn about the environmental
sciences in a hands-on activity setting.
The State of
Washington selected the new Lincoln Heights Elementary School as one of
five state-wide pilot projects which will use the new Washington
Sustainable Schools (WSS) Protocol for High Performance Schools Spokane
Public Schools obtained a $310,000 Federal grant for this pilot program.
The building
incorporates many sustainable design features. Natural lighting,
enhanced acoustics, and increased airflow for comfort and indoor air
quality are used extensively. Water reducing features, including
auto-sensing washbasins, are located throughout the school.
Ecologically sound decisions were made by innovative reuse of materials
and equipment where possible and by use of local or regional products
and materials to reduce transportation costs. High-efficiency lighting,
heating, plumbing and cooling systems have been used throughout the new
building to reduce heating, cooling and annual utility and maintenance
costs.
Additional innovative
and unique sustainability features include the reuse of the glue
laminated beams from the old school for the new Reception & Library
Circulation Counters, Central Stair Treads, and inside & outside
benches. |
