COLONIAL TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Henrico County, VirginiaNew ConstructionElementary SchoolBCWH ARCHITECTS

2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

COLONIAL TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

COLONIAL TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Colonial Trail Elementary School utilizes a compact two-story footprint on its site in northwestern Henrico County. This smaller footprint also allows for the centralization of site circulation and amenities for minimal impact on the environment. In fact, only 8.35 acres of the 23.83 acre site is developed, encouraging environmental studies and education on the site. Colonial Trail was designed with the belief that children and teachers should share a connection to their environment through views, fresh air, natural light, operable windows, and accessible exterior spaces, allowing the building to orient and educate.

MULTI-FUNCTIONALITYCafeteria and Multi-Purpose Room are adjoined by a folding partition, designed to accommodate expanded assembly events. Thoughtfully placed expanses of glazing at three of the Multi-Purpose Room’s walls provide day-lighting and views out to the site. Natural light enters, making it vibrant during the day and high-efficiency fluorescent lights provide warm light over the large space during evening events or overcast days.

The Multi-Purpose Room, with adjacent public restrooms, can be entered through a separate exterior entrance during nighttime and weekend events. A lockable corridor gate can be used to restrict access to other building areas.

EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITYBuilt-in seating areas occur throughout the school to promote places for rest, cuing, or informal and collaborative teaching spaces.

Students can display their artwork in a variety of places, including the corridor walls outside of their classrooms and the display case located at the entry of the school.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

The design for natural and artificial light in the classrooms accommodates both high tech and traditional instruction. Natural lighting is controlled by exterior shading devices, glazing types, building orientation and interior shades. Lights can be adjusted to preferred illumination levels by the teacher. Vibrant but harmonious color schemes add energy and interest to the classrooms. Two classrooms with folding partitions allow them to function also as four resource rooms. Teacher Workrooms are located and distributed among the classroom wings for easy access, providing a continuous adult presence outside of the classroom environment.

The Media Center has been organized to allow full classroom instruction or community gatherings with a retractable projection screen and television in the main reading area.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTColonial Trail’s Cafeteria shares a large glass wall with the Entrance Corridor, expanding the reach of each space and allowing natural light from the corridor clerestory windows to shine through the colored glass panels into the cafeteria. Besides enriching their experiences, the light and colors help to educate students about the reflectance and transparency play of light in their environment.

SUBTLE SECURITYEntrances are prominently indicated by the architectural design; they are placed in glazed walls always visible from corridors and promote visual monitoring for observation and security. By design, the spaces outside the building are open for easy observation and clear views. Security cameras, keypad entryways, and handicap accessible doorways are also used for safety.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

The brick and metal-panel exterior palette complements the landscape but with a modern touch suggesting a technologically advanced learning environment inside. All of the exterior materials were chosen to be no-maintenance, or low-maintenance and preferably recycled or recyclable.

The interior of this building is healthier for the environment and also the staff, teachers, and especially the developing immune systems of the students because of the specification of low-odor (VOC) paints and adhesives, operable windows, CO2 sensors, and natural fabrics. Individual offices, conference rooms and workrooms are provided direct or borrowed natural light from adjacent spaces but are still allowed privacy through the use of translucent and transparent glass.

REFINEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE

Greenwood Elementary

Colonial Trail Elementary School was based on the award-winning Greenwood Elementary School. Before planning Colonial Trail, BCWH Architects & Henrico County worked together to closely examine Greenwood, identifying those pieces that were successful and those that could be improved. This refinement consisted of everything from program to materials and structure. It is this type of collaborative experience that has made Colonial Trail an “attractive, cheerful, livable, and enjoyable elementary school” (Quote from Colonial Trail’s Principal Phil Cantone).

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

Submitting Firm : BCWH ArchitectsProject Role Architect & Interior DesignerProject Contact Charles D. Piper, AIA, REFP, LEEDAPTitle PrincipalAddress 1840 W Broad St. Suite 400City, State or Province, Country Richmond, VA 23220Phone 804-788-4774

Other Consulting Firms:MEP Hurd & ObenchainCivil & Landscape TIMMONS GroupStructural Stroud Pence & AssociatesProfessional Photography Chris Cunningham

Construction Firm: Southwood BuildersProject Role ContractorProject Contact Gene CampbellTitle Project ManagerAddress P. O. Box 1016City, State or Province, Country Ashland, VA 23005Phone 804-798-9225

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

Project Name  Colonial Trail Elementary SchoolCity  Henrico CountyState  VirginiaDistrict Name  Henrico County Public SchoolsSupt/President  Frederick S. Morton, IVOccupancy Date  Fall 2007Grades Housed  K-5 Capacity(Students)  750 studentsSite Size (acres)  23.83 acresGross Area (sq. ft.)  78,414 SFSF Per Student  105 SF Site Development:  $1,091,185Building Construction:  $11,043,328Furniture & Equipment Owner had separate allowanceChange Orders  $26,825 Total:  $12,161,338