Desert Torah AcademyLas Vegas, NV

Design Concept Entry

Projects Under Construction Award

TMP Architecture in association with Perlman Design Group

2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Desert Torah AcademyMain Entry

Desert Torah AcademyElevation

Front EntryCommunity Environment: Designers were challenged with the prospect of siting the new school on a tight 132,000 sf piece of property nestled between a commercial street and a quiet residential neighborhood. After several neighborhood meetings during the early design process, the design team adjusted elements of the school’s design, to include:

• A rear parking area, to lessen traffic congestion near the residential area

• A large setback to allow for a pick-up and drop-off area in the front of the school

• No street lighting in the front of the school out of respect for neighboring homes

• Adjustments in size and length of the original design to blend with the adjacent residential buildings

Circulation

Learning Environment:With a combined secular and Judaic curriculum, the Desert Torah Academy, a K-8 school, strives to instill students with an excitement for learning and to stimulate their intellectual curiosity in a rewarding, positive environment. The pre-school area, first grade and upper grades are each designed in distinct ways that address the needs of each age group and therefore maximize the students’ potential.

The common areas such as the multi-purpose pre-school room, the cafeteria/gymnasium, media center and playground accommodate shared activities and allow groups to integrate and expand their horizons academically, socially and spiritually.

Media CenterLearning Environment (cont.): The Chabad prides itself in providing a technology-rich environment, and the school features plasma screens throughout, as well as a fully-equipped computer lab. All classrooms, a science lab and the media center are equipped with the latest technology. A high-tech security system allows children to enter freely, with a checkpoint at the administrative offices inside.

Torah Tots EntryPhysical Environment: The Torah Tots Preschool on the first floor offers children age 3-5 a fun-filled, creative learning experience. Children are encouraged to use their senses to explore and to experiment. The colorful pre-school area has a winding “streetscape” corridor with washable wall panels and themed entry points for each set of two classrooms. First and second grade classrooms are also located at the first floor for easy access. Upper grades on the second floor are treated more formally and include a shared teacher’s resource room and conference room. The two-story atrium provides a dynamic and flexible space and acts as a connector between both wings of the building in addition to being a gathering area for the students with displays of Judaic artwork.

Multi-Purpose Room

Physical Environment (cont.): The new school also includes a gymnasium, an outdoor swimming pool, and a full-service cafeteria with kosher kitchen accoutrements. A commons activities area is created between the gymnasium and the dining area by moveable partitions that separate the rooms.

The outdoor play area for younger children is complemented by a large green space and dining terrace

ExteriorPlanning Process: Although Chabad has three schools in the Las Vegas area, enrollment at this particular urban location was on the rise, and the school needed additional space to accommodate the growing number of students. The design team explored several options with the Chabad group in order to achieve the right solution in the tight site. An original idea depicting several components which housed clusters of four classrooms each, developed into a more compact building with a dynamic exterior.

Two-Story AtriumPlanning Process (cont.): The key to the solution was the arrangement of the classrooms into a two-wing two-story alternative, linked by then administration office / media center at the front and a central two-story atrium at the back, which articulates and connects all the pieces.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

Submitting Firm : TMP Associates, Inc.Project Role Contract Documents and DesignProject Contact Eduardo Blanc, AIATitle Project ManagerAddress 1191 West Square Lake RoadCity, State or Province, Country Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302Phone (248) 338-45651

Joint Partner Firm: Perlman Design GroupProject Role Project Coordination and DesignProject Contact Jeff BalumTitle Project CoordinatorAddress 2230 Corporate Circle, Suite 200City, State or Province, Country Henderson, NV 89074Phone (702) 990-9900

Other Firm: Halcrow/YollesProject Role Structural EngineerProject Contact Frank MartinovicTitle Project DesignerAddress 5550 W. Flamingo Road, Suite B1City, State or Province, Country Las Vegas, NV 89103Phone (702) 253-6617

Construction Firm: Taylor InternationalProject Role General ContractorProject Contact Bill MasonTitle Project ManagerAddress 4040 Dean Martin DriveCity, State or Province, Country Las Vegas, NV 89103Phone (702) 734-6871

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

Project Name  Desert Torah Academy

City  Las Vegas

State  Nevada

District Name Chabad of Southern Nevada 

Supt/President  Rabbi Shea Harling

Occupancy Date  projected August 2010

Grades Housed  K - 8

 

Capacity(Students)  400 students

Site Size (acres)  135,500 sf

Gross Area (sq. ft.)  65,800 sf

Per Occupant(pupil)  165 sf / student

gross/net please indicate  

 

Design and Build?  No

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development:  $ 1,000,000

Building Construction: $11,000,000 

Fixed Equipment:  

Other:  

 

Total:  $12,000,000