Bulverde Green Elementary School

San Antonio, TexasElementary School

Design ConceptPfluger Associates Architects

2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Bulverde Green Elementary School

Sustainable MissionCommunity Environment:

North East Independent School District serves an area of San Antonio, Texas that is experiencing rapid growth. The District decided to utilize this opportunity to develop a new prototype for their Elementary Schools.

With the current trend towards “green” technologies, the District chose to participate in the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The participation in this program represents the Districts commitment to providing safe, healthy, and energy efficient schools to the surrounding community.

Accessible CampusCommunity Environment – Continued

It was important to the district that this new prototype be user and community friendly. The facility should serve the community and be available for after hour use.

Natural stone is juxtaposed against expansive glass and colorful classroom pods. The building extends a welcoming expression to all that visit.

A separate entrance has been provided at each large programmed space, to allow the community to utilize the cafeteria, gymnasium, and media center for after-hours community events.

Sustainable Concepts Incorporated into the CurriculumLearning Environment

Upon first entering the rotunda at the school’s entrance, students experience the building as a lesson in the science of sustainability. The lesson begins at the Entry/Upper Level of the two-story Core Information Commons, where the building footprint is inlayed in the upper-level floor pattern.

In the ceiling above, the orb shaped light fixtures are metaphors for the planets. A graphic of the earth is inlayed in the lower-level floor pattern. The reflection of the light fixtures above are symbolic of a constellation on a starry night.

ENTRY/UPPER LEVEL

LOWER LEVEL

CORE COMMONS

School as Teaching Tool

THIRD GRADE:WATER EFFICIENCY

FOURTH GRADE: ENERGY AND

ATMOSPHERE

FIFTH GRADE::

INNOVATION AND DESIGN

KINDERGARTEN:

SITE SUSTAINABILITY

FIRST GRADE:

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL

QUALITY

SECOND GRADE:

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Learning Environment - Continued

As the students progress further into the building, they continue their educational journey. Each Information Commons represents a study on the six different core concepts of the LEED for Schools program:

SITE SUSTAINABILITYINDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITYMATERIALS AND METHODSWATER EFFICIENCYENERGY AND ATMOSPHEREINNOVATION AND DESIGN

These concepts are taught in the school’s curriculum, to allow the students to learn through their physical environment.

The intricate patterns give identity to each grade level cluster while reinforcing the districts sustainable mission.

Integrated ConceptsPhysical Environment

The grade level identification extends to the exterior of the buildings. This continuation of color, materials and pattern from exterior to interior helps students, teachers and community members relate comfortably to the building.

These way finding tools are integrally designed into the building rather than achieved through signage or other applied materials.

This building experience teaches visitors about their relationship to the surrounding environment.

Sensitive DesignPhysical Environment - Continued

The schools design is centered around sustainable design principles:

Daylight Harvesting

Southern Exposure Shading

Solar Glass

Low Maintenance Building Materials

Native Plants

Light & Occupancy Sensors

Energy Modeling

Water Cooled Chillers

Indigenous Materials

Solar and Wind Analysis

High Recycled Content Aluminum Siding Undisturbed Site

High Reflective Roof & Parking Automated HVAC Sensors

School as CommunityPlanning Process:

Flat, level sites are difficult to find within North East ISD. The prototype under development must account for the fact that there is often a steep slope across the site. The design team organized the building program to allow for the natural fall of the site.

The entry level is on the “high” side of the site. A circular “rotunda” acts as an orienting device to provide a singular point of entry that can be monitored by the school’s administrative staff.

The academic areas are divided into grade-level clustered that are centered around “information commons”.

Concept ImplementationPlanning Process - Continued

The District recognized a need to improve its facility design to serve elementary school-aged students. A committee made up of all stakeholders toured numerous elementary schools across Texas. The Superintendent charged the group to seek the best practices that support elementary school curriculum to integrate into the new facility design.

Many hours of collaboration and teamwork resulted in a “PLACE” not just a “space” for these elementary school students.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

Submitting Firm : Pfluger Associates ArchitectsProject Role Project ArchitectProject Contact Kent Niemann, AIATitle PartnerAddress 1917 N. New Braunfels, Suite 201City, State or Province, Country San Antonio, Texas 78208Phone (210) 227-2724

Joint Partner Firm:Project RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Other Firm:Project RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Construction Firm: None – Not our for bid yetProject RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

Project Name  Bulverde Green Elementary School

City San Antonio

State Texas

District Name North East Independent School District

Supt/President Dr. Richard Middleton / Beth Plummer

Occupancy Date Fall 2010

Grades Housed Pre K – 5th

 

Capacity(Students) 1000 | 1200 core

Site Size (acres) 20.18 acres

Gross Area (sq. ft.) 122,600 SF

Per Occupant(pupil) 122.6

gross/net please indicate  

 

Design and Build? NO

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development:  $3,639,560

Building Construction: $22,349,712

Fixed Equipment: $2,010,728

Other:  

 

Total:  $28,000,000

Supplemental Images

Supplemental Images

Supplemental Images