Mount Nittany Elementary School
MOUNT NITTANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL The new 60,500 SF Mount Nittany Elementary School, built on the site of the former Panorama Village Elementary School in the State College Area School District was designed to house 400 K-5 students and allow for future expansion to accommodate 500 students. At the start of the project, goals and visions for the project were discussed at a Community Touchstone Dinner that included members of the school community, administration, faculty, staff and student body. Although a number of goals were identified, prioritization showed that the biggest points of focus for the new facility included: - A design that supports the learning program with high educational outcomes The design team, working closely with the District and the community, responded with a new facility design that achieves all goals. Educational Program Features The learning space design for the facility focuses on a centrally-located Learning Resource Center surrounded by large group instruction areas that branch into classroom areas. The classroom clusters promote several levels of social and academic interaction by providing individual, group learning and typical classroom settings. The Learning Resource Center: - incorporates vibrant colors to enhance the ‘fun’ behind research and learning
The educational elements of the facility, combined with the organization of the learning spaces, allow the facility to promote the concept of “learning anytime, anywhere.” The Planning Process The planning process included a Community Project Touchstone Dinner, a day-long goal-setting workshop, and two days of design charrettes for over 200 members of the school community, administration, faculty, staff and student body. The group was invited to engage in visioning and brainstorming sessions as well as hands-on workshops that were facilitated by the design team but that utilized the ideas of the group. The planning process offered multiple opportunities to express thoughts on existing facilities, program, educational needs, and learning environment design. Continuous follow-up public meetings conducted in person and on District television station kept the public informed. Special Challenges and Solutions Because the District had a very negative experience with the results of a previous project, they elected for this project to include a planning process that involved a significant amount of community input. Although the design team always looks upon community input favorably, the challenge presented within this particular project was that the full planning and design process needed to take place in a very condensed time period, with the project progressing from planning to bid in 8 months. To achieve success, the team instituted a planning process (described above) that gained the public involvement and input required. Unique Features/Innovations Designed to function as a teaching tool, the building incorporates some unique features that include: - a ‘Building Dashboard’ that helps students to be aware of how much energy is being used by the building, The effectiveness of using the building as a teaching tool was validated during the tours given by fourth grade students at the opening of the facility. The students were able to describe to visitors the building systems, bilateral daylighting, rain gardens as aids to storm water control, and recycled/renewable materials utilized throughout the building. Although developed as a response to this particular school facility, their understanding and awareness of the features and their meaning will be transferred to other settings, encouraging curiosity and promoting perception. Safety and Security Considerations To maintain security within the facility, the design utilizes a secure vestibule concept along with access-controlled doors and minimal CCTV on the exterior of the building. Also, the central ramp area of the facility is designed such that you can see the entire set of classroom clusters from any point, thus facilitating visibility and simple observation of the classroom areas. Environmental Considerations and Materials Choices The facility (final LEED certification status to be determined, currently borderline Silver/Gold) utilizes a ground source heat pump system; incorporates a reflective roof system; uses roof monitors for bilateral daylighting within classrooms to reduce the need for artificial lighting; uses rain gardens to aid with storm water control; utilizes high value wall insulation systems with light gauge steel and combinations of masonry and metal panel systems; uses low flow fixtures; incorporates exterior light shades and shelves within oversized windows to optimize overall daylighting; and uses reused, renewable and recycled materials. The building is an inspirational facility both inside and out. The striking front entry tower draws students and parents alike into the transparent central ramp area. Once inside, all community areas are visually connected through glazed openings to the colorful central ramp system. Windows are abundantly located throughout the building with most providing dramatic views of the ranges of hills surround the facility, including views to Mount Nittany, for which the school is named. Site Considerations The school, which is one story at the entrance, expands to two stories linked by a series of centrally-located ramps that offer easy accessibility and unite the classroom clusters. The multi-story design follows the slope of the topography, minimizing the amount of site work required. The new facility is situated within a high-volume residential area and, as a result of public input throughout the planning process, responds to important community issues that include: - connecting the surrounding neighborhoods with the facility via a continuous trail, Cost Effectiveness As mentioned previously, the design worked with the existing topography of the site and as such served as a cost effective measure for reducing the amount of site work required. And, although an approach using sustainable materials and methods are often thought to be more expensive than a traditional design approach, the new Mount Nittany Elementary School facility is comparable in cost to any elementary school completed across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania even though it presently stands to be certified as either LEED Silver or Gold.
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