flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Educational facilities see long-term benefits of fiber cement cladding

Educational facilities see long-term benefits of fiber cement cladding

Illumination Series panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price. The design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibrant place for kids to learn. In an effort to achieve this design, RB+B Architects selected Nichiha USA to provide a durable yet modern, contemporary exterior finish.


By By BD+C Staff | April 3, 2012
The design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibr
The design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibrant place for kids to learn. In an effort to ach

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

Office Buildings | Mar 12, 2018

Sound advice on workplace design

Thoughtful design, paired with a change management program to educate staff, can both enhance connectivity and minimize distractions.  

Architects | Mar 9, 2018

Designing healthier buildings: Fitwel certification system

The Fitwel certification system is relatively simple and involves registering a building on a custom scorecard.

Architects | Mar 7, 2018

Balkrishna Doshi named 2018 Pritzker Laureate

Over the course of 70 years, Doshi was instrumental in shaping the discourse of architecture throughout India, from low-cost housing for thousands to landmark projects like the Indian Institute of Management.

Architects | Feb 27, 2018

But first, let me take a selfie: Designing sharable moments

The concept of “selfie walls” has been around for years, but with their growing popularity they have begun to evolve and take on a life of their own.

Market Data | Feb 27, 2018

AIA small firm report: Half of employees have ownership stake in their firm

The American Institute of Architects has released its first-ever Small Firm Compensation Report.

Museums | Feb 26, 2018

*UPDATED* Design team unveils plans for the renovated and expanded Gateway Arch Museum

The goal of the project is to create closer and more robust connections between the Gateway Arch Museum and the landscape of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

Architects | Feb 23, 2018

AIA elevates 152 members and two international architects to the College of Fellows

AIA Fellowship recognizes significant contributions to profession of architecture and society.  

Airports | Feb 21, 2018

Terminal Modernization: Why Bother? Part II

This is the second post in our series examining why airport operators should bother to upgrade their facilities, even if capacity isn’t forcing the issue.

Urban Planning | Feb 21, 2018

Leading communities in the Second Machine Age

What exactly is the Second Machine Age? The name refers to a book by MIT researchers Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


Urban Planning

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.



Libraries

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.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021