REX BELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLNVB17055

Project Name: Rex Bell Elementary School

Project Identification Number: NVB17055

Project Category: Built Architecture

Type of Project: Education

Completion Date: October 02, 2017

Type of Construction: New Construction. Type II, Fully Sprinklered

Materials Used: CMU, Painted Block, Stucco, Glass Block & Steel

Building Area: 101,304 s.f.

Statement of Design Approach:

Evocative of a time in which Las Vegas gained early notoriety as a destination for both locals and celebrities to share in newly established neighborhoods in an otherwise desolate community, the Rex Bell Elementary Replacement School celebrates the memory of place through a variety of design considerations. The new Rex Bell Elementary seeks to continue the legacy of its 1964 predecessor and is to remain a tribute to its namesake. Named after the celebrated actor and noted politician, Rex Bell, the replacement facility will recall an era in which he was most active through subtle design references to mid-century modernism.

The new elementary school is located on the previously undeveloped approximately 2.8 acre grass play area to the east of the existing building. The building consists of two-stories; level one is 73,965 s.f. and level 2 is 27,103 s.f. for a total of 101,304 s.f. and is to be constructed on the existing active campus. The scope of work includes site improvements, as well as the new parking areas, curb cut realignments, playgrounds and equipment, and bus drop off area. New construction, demolition and removal of existing site amenities and buildings were phased in order to keep the existing operations uninterrupted for the school year.

Providing a safe and vibrant learning environment was of primary concern for the design team. Given the on-going challenges present in the neighborhood surrounding the site a unique strategy for the building massing allowed for a series of internal activity areas which are not impacted by such external challenges. After hosting a multi-day design charrette with teachers, staff, students and community members the design team presented an overall design concept that would serve as the basis of our collective vision for the school. Design decisions made at this time allowed for the school to provide elevated views to the Strip, thus ensuring a lasting connection to the community and even areas beyond.

Beyond providing insular classrooms and standard learning environments the design team sought to advance the character and function of otherwise neglected spaces. As such, the main circulation corridor along the northern portion of the facility was expanded without impacting the overall area. Core functions were moved into the center of this zone and thus provided for a wider interior that serves as both an area for circulation and breakout educational opportunities. This zone is oriented from east to west and benefits from a series of large skylights which provide daylighting throughout the space. Furthermore, the organization of the building program creates courtyards that serve as special outdoor learning environments for programs such as the school’s garden-to-table program and the kinder play area.

Collectively, these deliberate gestures support the overall goals of the design team while addressing the requests of those who participated in the charrette. This facility successfully situates itself on an existing site and allows for the construction process to occur without interruption to the existing buildings on-site which must remain operational.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Project Name: Rex Bell Elementary School

Project Identification Number: NVB17055

Sustainability Approach:

While this school did not seek formal certification for sustainable design measures, it is the goal of the Clark County School District to require new facilities to address issues of energy use, water, and the internal environment. As such, the central heating/cooling system is based on water source heat pumps which ensure maximum controllability of the interior temperature while reducing energy usage. Furthermore, classrooms and other gathering spaces benefit from daylighting as a primary source of illumination—a feature which is still limited in practice throughout the district. This was achieved through the use of high performance glazing which also improves the energy conservation due to the insulating properties.

Daylighting was complemented by strategic electric lighting through the use of efficient LEDs, automatic dimming daylighting controls, and occupancy sensors. Insulating the external envelope is a straightforward yet easily overlooked way to reduce the fossil fuels used to service buildings throughout their life. This is why it was critical to detail the building so that there were no thermal bridges and that the external envelope was airtight. High performance envelope construction with R-30 insulation at roof, R-19 at walls and insulated exterior doors was used to reduce heat gain and losses through the envelope. Water saving devices such as low flow plumbing fixtures were used in order to reduce water consumption. It is also important to note that a sustainable building is much more than an environmentally sound one - it must take into account environmental, social and economic issues. Not only does Rex Bell Elementary address several environmental issues from energy consumption, to daylighting, to water conservation, it was envisioned as an anchor within the community that aspires to enhance student learning and to prepare the future generations for success.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN INTENT AND INNOVATION

Project Name: Rex Bell Elementary School

Project Identification Number: NVB17055

Materiality Approach:

Given the availability of accessible materials in the Las Vegas Valley, the design benefited from the nearby CMU production facility for a responsible structural finish system. This material serves as a robust choice in both interior and exterior applications and will withstand the heavy use commonly experienced in educational settings. The selected portions of painted block connect with the conceptual design intents which link the vintage Rex Bell movie branding with the overall campus setting.

The duality between the plaster finish Administration Center and the folded plate steel frame roof of the Multipurpose Room anchor the formal language of the building in a mid-century style that was identifiable in the design of the original school and remains in the existing parent center building.

Large interior and exterior gathering areas are provided with a variety of backdrop elements which seek to evoke the variety of landscape contexts which Rex Bell explored during his adventures. For example, a full-wall vinyl graphic in the Library depicts Rex riding his horse across the range under the sun whereas the glass block infill throughout the exterior of the Multipurpose Room recall starry nights in the desert.

Student artwork is functionally and artfully integrated throughout the central corridor as railing. These fully daylit spaces are illuminated in a manner which allows the artwork to be displayed as a colorful addition to this area. Public artwork is located at the front entry of the school as a donation from the Architect and Contractor as a lasting tribute to the schools namesake.

MATERIAL CHOICES

PROJECT SITE

1965

2017

PROJECT SITE CONDITIONS

COMMUNITY CHARRETTE

SETTINGS THROUGH BRANDING

SUSP

ENSE

SKY

FIR

E

SIER

RA

RA

NG

E

BRANDING THROUGH BUILT FORMS

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN - EXTERIOR

FLOOR PLANS

MSB

ATS

ATS

DBL T-DBLEL1

EH1

EH1

XL1

LCP

EH1

T-XL1

HA HALCP LA LB

ER

KIT1KIT2

LC

HCLCP

TR1

LFLE

TR2

EL1

XH1

T-EL1

EH1

XL1

LCP

LCP

T-XL1

HA HBLCP LA LB

ER

UPS

KIT1KIT2

LC

HCLCP

TR1

LFLE

TR2

T

T

T

--kVA

GENE

RATO

R

8' 16' 32'0'

8' 16' 32'0'

LEVEL-1

LEVEL-2

ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER

STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER

SPECIAL PROGRAMS CENTER

LIBRARY + RESOURCE CENTER

KINDERGARTEN CENTER

LEARNING CENTERS

MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS

PHYSICAL MODEL

SECURE ENTRY STUDENT ACTIVITY CENTER

LIBRARY + RESOURCE CENTER LEARNING CENTERS KINDERGARTEN CENTER

ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER

OVERALL AERIAL

AFTERHOURS MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

CENTRAL COMMONS

CENTRAL COURTYARD

PLAYFIELDS

MULTIPURPOSE ROOM

LIBRARY

CLASSROOM - CONNECTION TO SURROUNDING CONTEXT

MAIN ENTRY