Westside Elementary School

Location: Cedar Park, TexasCategory of Entry: New Construction

Award Type: Elementary SchoolFirm Name: O’Connell Robertson

2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Westside Elementary School

Exterior WalkwayCommunity Environment: Narrative

• The entire District, with representatives from the community, leadership, administration, curriculum and teaching staff was engaged in the planning process for this new prototypical school through focus groups, planning sessions and design charrettes, creating a sense of ownership and ensuring enthusiasm for the facility.

LibraryCommunity Environment: continued

• The planning process utilized a wide array of community resources, including representatives from the neighborhood, community, and local business partners.• The design solution supports a high level of community use. A key feature of the plan is a dedicated Parent Workroom, a hub of activity on a daily basis. • Located in a brand new neighborhood, the school serves as a focal point and center of activity.

Small Reading GroupLearning Environment: NarrativeInnovation best describes the project, both in the learning process between students and teachers as well as in the learning environment. The District led the charge in redefining elementary education. Leander ISD’s focus on students and learning led the Design Team down a path toward creating spaces designed around flexibility; each class has the opportunity to gather both in traditional arrangements as well as small and multi-class groups.

Cluster of ClassroomsLearning Environment: ContinuedThe design responds to key instructional concepts established by the Administration and Board, such as: FlexibilityProvides and encourages a wide variety of learning settings and learning strategies (i.e., individual, team, small group, large group, formal, informal, community) and flexibility and ease of adaptation in learning settings.

Hands-on LearningSupports hands-on learning through curriculum, classroom size and configuration, furnishings and equipment, and group learning areas, both indoor and outdoor.

Small Learning Communities Westside Elementary supports small learning communities through the 800 student maximum enrollment and amenities provided “clustering of classrooms.”

Fingertip AccessResources, materials, staff, and specialized learning spaces are provided at the learners’ and teachers’ “fingertips”. The learning plan and supporting materials and facilities are designed to provide for a “learning on demand” setting.

NeighborhoodPhysical Environment – Narrative

Neighborhood ConceptUses• Extension of Classroom• Small & Large group Instruction• Projects & Centers• Tutoring• Exploration• Science• Collaborative Planning• Independent Work

Features• Lighting and Day-lighting• Finishes• Scale

TransparencyPhysical Environment – Continued

Transparency• Inside connected to Outside• Shared Spaces Transparent to Classrooms• Classrooms Transparent to Support Spaces

Flexible Age Appropriate Furniture• Nurturing Atmosphere• Small & Large group Instruction• Learning Centers• Exploration• Access to Water

Design CharrettePlanning Process:• Voters in the Leander Independent School District approved a bond in May, 2006 which included funds for eight new elementary schools. Leander ISD is one of the fastest growing districts in Texas, serving over 24,000 students. •In the interest of improving education and support for students, teachers and the community, the District decided to update the elementary school prototype to better reflect the District’s goals and learning model. While Leander’s current elementary school prototype had served the District well for many years, the board decided that an updated design was needed to support current trends in educational delivery.

Family AtmospherePlanning Process: Continued• The District wanted the plan to be flexible with a family-like nurturing atmosphere for the students. The Elementary Steering Committee, made up of board members, administrators, principals, community members, parents and architects and planners, embarked on a multi-phase elementary redesign. • The process included staff interviews, site visits at existing Leander schools, tours of exemplary school designs nationally and concentrated design charrettes and planning sessions. • The resulting Westside Elementary School design establishes the new "elementary facility prototype" for all future schools in Leander ISD.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

Submitting Firm : O’Connell RobertsonProject Role Prime FirmProject Contact Richard Burnight, AIATitle PrincipalAddress 811 Barton Springs Road, Suite 900City, State or Province, Country Austin, Texas 78704Phone 512-478-7286

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

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

Construction Firm: American Constructors, LPProject Role General ContractorProject Contact Jason SniderTitleAddress 4330 S. Mopac Expressway, Suite 230City, State or Province, Country Austin, Texas 78735Phone 512-328-2026

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

Project Name  Westside Elementary School

City  Cedar Park

State  Texas

District Name  Leander Independent School District

Supt/President  Bret A. Champion, Ed.D.

Occupancy Date  Fall 2008

Grades Housed  pre-K – 5th

 

Capacity(Students)  800

Site Size (acres)  --

Gross Area (sq. ft.)  108,000 SF

Per Occupant(pupil)  135 SF

gross/net please indicate  gross

 

Design and Build?  No

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development:  $363,000

Building Construction:  $18,198,555

Fixed Equipment:  --

Other:  --

 

Total:  $18,561,555

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