Barnette Magnet School

Fairbanks North Star Borough School DistrictFairbanks, AlaskaDesign Concept

Addition / RenovationUSKH Inc. / McCool Carlson Green/ BrainSpaces

2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Barnette Magnet School

Transformation of a K-8 Campus

Barnette Magnet SchoolRenovation, Addition, Strategic Demolition

Project Data

Grades: K-8 Exploratory ModelEnrollment: 470 Students

Core Classrooms: 18 (morning session)

Exploratory Classrooms: 38 (afternoon session)

Project Objective: Through planning and design, transform an existing structure to reflect and accommodate a dynamic hands-on educational program

Educational ContextExploratory Learning Model1.Hands-On & Minds-On Learning: Stimulating and well-rounded experience brings learning to life through exploration in arts, technology, languages, and movement. Service Learning develops leadership and community.

2.Empowering Children as Designers and Inventors: Enabling students to learn about the world through experimentation and exploration.

3.Strong Academics: Supported through a 3 hour core block of rigorous curriculum free from pull-outs.

4.Safe and Supportive Environment: Provides ordinary children with extraordinary experiences.

5. Program Transformation: An inventive program and schedule designed to maximizes opportunities for students.

Morning session: A three hour uninterrupted block for grade level core curriculum. Grade Level Sections: 24 studentsAfternoon Session: Three one hour blocks of interest based explorations. Multi-age Sections: 12-16 students

Urban ContextLearning NetworkBarnette Magnet School is an established K-8 program located in the heart of Fairbanks, Alaska. Currently, the school is operating in a 48 year old facility that is in dire need of major maintenance and facility upgrades. Project objectives include extending the serviceable life of the facility, dramatically improving its energy performance, and reinvigorating the learning environment to work hand-in-hand with the innovative educational processes and programs at the school.

This existing urban site with rapidly declining enrollment made the transition to a ‘school of choice’ in 2004. Housed in a traditional school building the program creatively adapted to a building that was at odds with their dynamic exploratory curriculum. This adaptation created space inefficiencies that resulted in building utilization of only 60%. The planning and design process re-imagines the old structure to fit the innovative, student oriented programs that are in high demand in the community.

Geographical ContextMagnet School Attracts Students Borough-wideThe Fairbanks North Star Borough is larger than Hawaii, and almost as big as New Jersey. Students are drawn to Barnette from all over the Borough.

Agile and AdaptableRenovation with Purpose

1.Dynamic learning and social environments reflect a dynamic academic program.2.Flexible learning studios transform from academic to exploratory environments.3.Performance spaces allow students to demonstrate what they know.4.Media center allows ‘research, making and doing’5.New active entry area creates a social heart to the school, placing programs on display.6.Corridors articulated to create informal student areas and dynamic pathways7.Interior windows create transparent learning environments.

Dynamic Learning StudiosAgile Learning EnvironmentsA key component in improving space utilization was the conversion of substandard traditional classrooms into dynamic learning studios. Multiple options were investigated resulting in a suite of spaces with a connected project room that is utilized by core classrooms in the mornings and is a separate exploratory classroom in the afternoons. A particular advantage of this configuration is there is virtually no conversion time between core and exploratory, maximizing the utilization of valuable educational space and increasing opportunities for students and teachers.

An alternative studio utilizes a movable wall that can be placed in one of two locations to convert learning studio B to house up to 4 exploratories in a variety of configurations Existing 3 Classroom Module

Studio A

Studio B

Daily TransformationImproving Space Performance and UtilizationThe school undergoes a dramatic transition every day from a traditional curriculum in the morning (18 Studios) to a varied menu of courses for students to choose from in the afternoon (up to 38 selections per semester).

The educational model of core classes during a morning long block and multiple explorations during three afternoon small blocks is currently under-utilizing spaces during the morning sessions. Creating fully utilized learning studios that function differently in the morning than the afternoon allow space resources to be engaged through the full educational day.

Learning SignatureLively Exterior Reflects Dynamic ProgramDeveloped through interactive workshops, the school’s learning signature clearly and concisely expresses the promise of this exciting alternative program. Embedded in all facets of the project the most direct expression is in the lively exterior design featuring wall textures evocative of boreal forests, meandering rivers and the midnight sun characteristic of the region.

Exterior shear walls, added to improve earthquake performance, become identity pieces expressing the core values of the program. During the subsequent design phases students will create final artwork for these panels that will be transferred to the panels in porcelain tile mosaics.

Explore the world Create your future!

Functional Layering of SpacesCreating Multi-functional Zones

Media Center: Hard working media center spaces support library functions, lobby activities, eating, cooking, small group and a variety of exploratory courses. This space also transforms throughout the day creating open interactive and quiet contemplative spaces as needed by the school programs.

Lobby: The light, airy entry lobby is open to the Media Café and administrative areas. Children’s play areas are tucked under the stair reinforce the school exploratory theme and creates fun places for students to wait for their parents. Playful ‘digital pencil’ columns support the connecting walkway and deliver the exploratory message of the day. This is a place to see and be seen, a space that celebrates the student oriented culture of the school

Integrated Planning ProcessEmphasis on CollaborationA series of planning workshops explored educational issues that are important in the design of schools: Learning-Centered Environments, Community Involvement, Operational Flexibility, Effective Organization, Safety, Security, and Sustainable Design. Additionally, the unique nature of Barnette’s program offered opportunities to explore facilities that support project-based learning, collaborative working environments, hands-on learning and interactive processes. Overlapping planning tasks created interactive feedback loops where design and planning activities informed each other in a dynamic mix of analytical and creative processes

Planning

Concepts

Schematic Design

Educational Specifications

Sustainable Design StrategiesBuilding Green in the Far North1. Currently the largest ‘energy hog’ in the district, the renovation completely replaces the exterior envelope with highly insulated exterior walls and roofs with high performance triple glazed window systems. 2. New mechanical systems feature ventilators that capture heat from exhaust air prior to discharge. 3. Low sun angles are exploited with unique exterior reflectors creating winter sunspots at north entries. 4. Clerestories and light shelves reduce electrical lighting loads and enliven the learning environments

5. Reusing a substantial portion of the existing building structure reduces land fill waste and material manufacturing impacts.6. A comprehensive indoor air quality program including low emitting materials, building flushing and air quality monitoring.7. Renewable and recycled materials proposed throughout 8. Recycling programs for construction waste and accommodations for ongoing school recycling program.

The original 1950’s era school is transformed into a flexible learning environment that supports the changing curriculum options. Art and music rooms function as both core and exploratory classrooms. Widened circulation spaces create informal break out areas and expanded display space for quarterly ‘Exhibit Nights’ where students present their work to parents and community. Administrative offices have good visual control over the main entry without being intrusive, creating an open welcoming experience for students, parents and visitors.

The second floor contains the majority of the learning studios. Seamless transition from the old and the new school is effected by a light filled 2-story entry with a connecting bridge, a place to see and be seen. New second story fan rooms contain heat recovery systems that recycle heat from exhaust air back into the building reducing the amount of energy lost during the extreme heating cycle in this northern location.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

Submitting Firm : USKHProject Role Prime ArchitectProject Contact Gary PohlTitle Principal ArchitectAddress 544 Fourth AvenueCity, State or Province, Country Fairbanks, Alaska, USAPhone 907/452-2128

Joint Partner Firm: McCool Carlson Green ArchitectsProject Role Education Design ConsultantProject Contact Michael CarlsonTitle Educational DesignerAddress 901 Photo AvenueCity, State or Province, Country Anchorage, Alaska, USAPhone 907/563-8474

Other Firm: BrainSpacesProject Role Educational PlannerProject Contact Peter BrownTitle Educational PlannerAddress 1100 N California AveCity, State or Province, Country Chicago, Illinois, USAPhone 773-531-3221

Project Manager: Fairbanks North Star Borough and School DistrictProject Role Owner/Using AgencyProject Contact Bud Marschner (FNSB) Larry Morris (SD)Title Project ManagerAddress PO Box 1267City, State or Province, Country Fairbanks, Alaska 99707Phone (907) 459-1345

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

Project Name  Barnette Magnet School

City  Fairbanks

State  Alaska

District Name  Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

Supt/President  Dr. Nancy Wagner

Occupancy Date  2011

Grades Housed  K-8

 

Capacity(Students)  470

Site Size (acres)  10

Gross Area (sq. ft.)  54,400

Per Occupant(pupil) 116 

gross/net please indicate  140%

 

Design and Build?  no

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development:  550,377

Building Construction:  16,232,558

Fixed Equipment:  253,716

Other:  

 

Total:  18,703,635