Bear Creek Elementary
Located in Southwest Austin, Bear Creek Elementary in Austin Independent School District’s first new school from the 2017 Bond election. Built on a previously undeveloped 19-acre site, the school design carefully addresses the limitations and opportunities of this location, which included a 60-foot grade change, protection of endangered species, extreme limitations on the impervious cover, and critical environmental karst features. The building and site underscore sustainability to the greatest extent possible. The design works with the topography: a one-story building faces the street, and it includes all the public spaces, and a three-story academic building engages into the slope. Two enclosed bridges connect the one-story building to the middle level of the academic building and provide the framework for the courtyard, which includes a small amphitheater, learning stairs, and a dry creek bed, all designed for outdoor learning opportunities. A unique feature of the design is the elevated outdoor classroom, which extends over the undisturbed land to the south, providing great views for habitat study. In this course, we will discuss the design and construction challenges that were faced and overcome by this women-led team.
Team:
Lauren Goldberg, AIA, LEED AP BD&C - Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects
Deborah Ebersole - Sustainability Consultant - Studio D Consulting
Marissa McKinney - Landscape Architect - Coleman & Associates
Sarah Nario - Preconstruction Manager / Contractor - Flintco, LLC
Melissa Sibley - Structural Engineer - DCI Engineers
Committee Chair - Nkiru Gelles, Assoc. AIA
Committee Chair-Elect - Stephanie Lemmo, Assoc. AIA
Site Tours Sub-committee Chair
Randy Davis AIA, LEED AP BD+C, PMP, CDT, WELL AP: Nelsen Partners
Video Production Site Supervisor
Alexandra Chaves, Assoc. AIA
Video Production and Editing: Gus Bernal
https://www.gusbernal.com
Location: Bear Creek Elementary