Transcript Project Name

2008 Exhibition of School
Planning and Architecture
COLONIAL TRAIL
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Henrico County, Virginia
New Construction
Elementary School
BCWH ARCHITECTS
COLONIAL TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
COLONIAL TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Colonial Trail Elementary School utilizes a
compact two-story footprint on its site in
northwestern Henrico County. This smaller
footprint also allows for the centralization of
site circulation and amenities for minimal
impact on the environment. In fact, only 8.35
acres of the 23.83 acre site is developed,
encouraging environmental studies and
education on the site. Colonial Trail was
designed with the belief that children and
teachers should share a connection to their
environment through views, fresh air, natural
light, operable windows, and accessible
exterior spaces, allowing the building to orient
and educate.
MULTI-FUNCTIONALITY
Cafeteria and Multi-Purpose Room are adjoined
by a folding partition, designed to accommodate
expanded assembly events. Thoughtfully placed
expanses of glazing at three of the Multi-Purpose
Room’s walls provide day-lighting and views out
to the site. Natural light enters, making it vibrant
during the day and high-efficiency fluorescent
lights provide warm light over the large space
during evening events or overcast days.
The Multi-Purpose Room, with adjacent public
restrooms, can be entered through a separate
exterior entrance during nighttime and weekend
events. A lockable corridor gate can be used to
restrict access to other building areas.
EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY
Built-in seating areas occur throughout the school
to promote places for rest, cuing, or informal and
collaborative teaching spaces.
Students can display their artwork in a variety of
places, including the corridor walls outside of their
classrooms and the display case located at the
entry of the school.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The design for natural and artificial light in the
classrooms accommodates both high tech and
traditional instruction. Natural lighting is
controlled by exterior shading devices, glazing
types, building orientation and interior shades.
Lights can be adjusted to preferred illumination
levels by the teacher. Vibrant but harmonious
color schemes add energy and interest to the
classrooms. Two classrooms with folding
partitions allow them to function also as four
resource rooms. Teacher Workrooms are
located and distributed among the classroom
wings for easy access, providing a continuous
adult presence outside of the classroom
environment.
The Media Center has been organized to
allow full classroom instruction or community
gatherings with a retractable projection screen
and television in the main reading area.
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Colonial Trail’s Cafeteria shares a large glass
wall with the Entrance Corridor, expanding the
reach of each space and allowing natural light
from the corridor clerestory windows to shine
through the colored glass panels into the
cafeteria. Besides enriching their experiences,
the light and colors help to educate students
about the reflectance and transparency play of
light in their environment.
SUBTLE SECURITY
Entrances are prominently indicated by the architectural design; they are placed
in glazed walls always visible from corridors and promote visual monitoring for
observation and security. By design, the spaces outside the building are open for
easy observation and clear views. Security cameras, keypad entryways, and
handicap accessible doorways are also used for safety.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
The brick and metal-panel exterior palette
complements the landscape but with a
modern touch suggesting a technologically
advanced learning environment inside. All
of the exterior materials were chosen to be
no-maintenance, or low-maintenance and
preferably recycled or recyclable.
The interior of this building is healthier for
the environment and also the staff,
teachers, and especially the developing
immune systems of the students because
of the specification of low-odor (VOC)
paints and adhesives, operable windows,
CO2 sensors, and natural fabrics.
Individual offices, conference rooms and
workrooms are provided direct or borrowed
natural light from adjacent spaces but are
still allowed privacy through the use of
translucent and transparent glass.
REFINEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE
Colonial Trail Elementary School was based on the awardwinning Greenwood Elementary School. Before planning
Colonial Trail, BCWH Architects & Henrico County worked
together to closely examine Greenwood, identifying those
pieces that were successful and those that could be
improved. This refinement consisted of everything from
program to materials and structure. It is this type of
collaborative experience that has made Colonial Trail an
“attractive, cheerful, livable, and enjoyable elementary
school” (Quote from Colonial Trail’s Principal Phil Cantone).
Greenwood Elementary
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
2008 Project Data
Submitting Firm :
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
BCWH Architects
Architect & Interior Designer
Charles D. Piper, AIA, REFP, LEEDAP
Principal
1840 W Broad St. Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23220
804-788-4774
Other Consulting Firms:
MEP
Civil & Landscape
Structural
Professional Photography
Hurd & Obenchain
TIMMONS Group
Stroud Pence & Associates
Chris Cunningham
Construction Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Southwood Builders
Contractor
Gene Campbell
Project Manager
P. O. Box 1016
Ashland, VA 23005
804-798-9225
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
2008 Project Details
Project Name
City
State
District Name
Supt/President
Occupancy Date
Grades Housed
Colonial Trail Elementary School
Henrico County
Virginia
Henrico County Public Schools
Frederick S. Morton, IV
Fall 2007
K-5
Capacity(Students)
Site Size (acres)
Gross Area (sq. ft.)
SF Per Student
750 students
23.83 acres
78,414 SF
105 SF
Site Development:
Building Construction:
Furniture & Equipment
Change Orders
$1,091,185
$11,043,328
Owner had separate allowance
$26,825
Total:
$12,161,338