A 71,000-sf elementary school was recently constructed in Erie, Colo.; Red Hawk Elementary was developed as an addition to the St. Vrain Valley School District.
According to Ken Field, principal architect at RB+B Architects Inc., the design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibrant place for kids to learn.
The approach to create this type of environment centers around a central space that is connected to all parts of the school and allows for multiple ways of interaction amongst and between students and teachers.
In an effort to achieve this design, RB+B Architects selected Nichiha USA to provide a durable yet modern, contemporary exterior finish. In addition to the modern look of the panels, the ability to have vast color options were a great concern to the architects when deciding on what product to use. Nichiha met all of their requirements.
The architects chose Nichiha’s Illumination Series panels in a marigold color finish. This product was designed with a well-developed patented clipping system; the smooth large panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price.
Challenge: To design a modern, vibrant place for kids to learn.
Solution: Nichiha’s Illumination Series panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price. Nichiha’s products are designed for long-term wear and tear, a perfect solution for a school setting.
Results: Having vast color option was important to RB+B when deciding on what product to use. Nichiha’s fiber cement panel system combined with the Nichiha's Color Xpressions System provided the architects a high-performance product that included a wide color range.
“This project continues to illustrate the changing perception within the building and architectural communities of specifying fiber cement panels for educational facilities. Nichiha’s panels are quickly becoming products of choice for similar educational developments across the country; providing a low-maintenance product that has a contemporary, welcoming appearance,” says Doug Kennard, territory manager for Nichiha. “Nichiha’s Illumination Series panels are ideal for new educational facilities like Red Hawk Elementary School. Our products are easy to install and create sustainable, sophisticated looking buildings.”
As inspiration for this space, the design team at RB+B Architects studied urban scenes during street festivals. During festivals, buildings on each side of the street frame the central space where multiple pavilions of vibrant colors and shapes are installed. The most important aspect of this scene is the movement of people. Their ability to weave in and around pavilions and buildings is a joyful part of experiencing the festival and became the central theme for the elementary design.
Architect: RB+B Architects
Location: Erie, Colorado
Project type: New construction
Product: Illumination Series panels
Project features:
- Modern, contemporary exterior finish
- Color Xpressions System
- Durability
- Quick installation
- Low-maintenance
- Sustainability
- Cost savings
“The Illumination Series panels from Nichiha were a great fit for Red Hawk Elementary for many reasons. However, the size of the panels, the ability to order them in almost any color, and the ease of installation were the deciding factors for using them,” says Jason Kersley, project architect with RB+B Architects.
The partnership created with RB+B Architects and the St. Vrain Valley School District is a great representation on Nichiha’s continued commitment to the educational design community. Nichiha is excited to be part of such a fast growing design community and is looking forward to educating other architects on the benefits and advancements of utilizing fiber cement products for upcoming developments. BD+C
Related Stories
MFPRO+ New Projects | Oct 30, 2024
BIG’s One High Line finally reaches completion in New York City’s West Chelsea neighborhood
One High Line, a luxury residential project spanning a full city block in New York’s West Chelsea neighborhood, reached completion this summer following years of delays related to investor lawsuits.
Urban Planning | Oct 30, 2024
Bridging the gap: How early architect involvement can revolutionize a city’s capital improvement plans
Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) typically span three to five years and outline future city projects and their costs. While they set the stage, the design and construction of these projects often extend beyond the CIP window, leading to a disconnect between the initial budget and evolving project scope. This can result in financial shortfalls, forcing cities to cut back on critical project features.
MFPRO+ New Projects | Oct 30, 2024
Luxury waterfront tower in Brooklyn features East River and Manhattan skyline views
Leasing recently began for The Dupont, a 41-story luxury rental property along the Brooklyn, N.Y., waterfront. Located within the 22-acre Greenpoint Landing, where it overlooks the newly constructed Newtown Barge Park, the high-rise features East River and Manhattan skyline views along with 20,000 sf of indoor and outdoor communal space.
Libraries | Oct 30, 2024
Reasons to reinvent the Midcentury academic library
DLR Group's Interior Design Leader Gretchen Holy, Assoc. IIDA, shares the idea that a designer's responsibility to embrace a library’s history, respect its past, and create an environment that will serve student populations for the next 100 years.
Resiliency | Oct 29, 2024
Climate change degrades buildings slowly but steadily
While natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires can destroy buildings in minutes, other factors exacerbated by climate change degrade buildings more slowly but still cause costly damage.
Office Buildings | Oct 29, 2024
Editorial call for Office Building project case studies
BD+C editors are looking to feature a roundup of office building projects for 2024, including office-to-residential conversions. Deadline for submission: December 6, 2024.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 28, 2024
New surgical tower is largest addition to UNC Health campus in Chapel Hill
Construction on UNC Health’s North Carolina Surgical Hospital, the largest addition to the Chapel Hill campus since it was built in 1952, was recently completed. The seven-story, 375,000-sf structure houses 26 operating rooms, four of which are hybrid size to accommodate additional equipment and technology for newly developed procedures.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 28, 2024
A case for mid-rise: How multifamily housing can reshape our cities
Often referred to as “five-over-ones,” the mid-rise apartment type is typically comprised of five stories of apartments on top of a concrete “podium” of ground-floor retail. The main criticism of the “five-over-one” is that they are often too predictable.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Oct 24, 2024
Stadium renovation plans unveiled for Boston’s National Women’s Soccer League
A city-owned 75-year-old stadium in Boston’s historic Franklin Park will be renovated for a new National Women’s Soccer League team. The park, designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted in the 1880s, is the home of White Stadium, which was built in 1949 and has since fallen into disrepair.
Laboratories | Oct 23, 2024
From sterile to stimulating: The rise of community-centric life sciences campuses
To distinguish their life sciences campuses, developers are partnering with architectural and design firms to reimagine life sciences facilities as vibrant, welcoming destinations. By emphasizing four key elements—wellness, collaboration, biophilic design, and community integration—they are setting their properties apart.
