Pioneer Meadows Montessori School
Additional Info
Award Winner : Pacific Mobile Structures, Inc.
Architectural Excellence : This building was designed to take full advantage of the open air and the surrounding mountain views and country setting. Two exterior classrooms accentuate the open building feel with large, oversized windows and large interior hallways. The use of Solo Tubes throughout the building brings in additional natural sunlight. The hallways have a ceiling height of 9’ with Second Look tegular tile and parabolic lights. The hallways feature a wainscot of laminate throughout. All 4 classrooms have access to the exterior classroom space on nice weather days. In addition, all have private restroom facilities as well as full kitchen facilities. The exterior of the building is built with Hardi-Lap siding and features a Standing Seam Metal Roof with a pitch of 1:12 on the sides and a 2:12 site installed roof in the center section of the building. This gives the building depth and balance. Three foot overhangs extend over the outdoor classroom areas and the site built entry.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : By deleting the HVAC system and using radiant heat panels, the total amount of amps needed to run the building was greatly reduced. Automatic light sensors and use of natural light in the building makes for a conservation-minded approach to lighting. Cement siding and a steel roof make good use of the products with high recycled content. Even though the building was built before the new WA state Energy code upgrade, we exceeded insulation values by using R38 in both the ceiling and floor with R21 used in the exterior walls.
Occupied Date : 8/26/2011
Production Start Date : 5/1/2011
Project Location City : Ferndale
Project Location State Name : WA
Technical Innovation : The use of Solo Tubes and larger windows reduced the amount of artificial light sources needed in the building. The owner wanted to take advantage of the cooler climate in the area and not have AC or a costly forced-air heating system. The entire building in heated by Radiant heat panels in the ceiling with only 1 small air handler to move air throughout the buildings. A hinged roof system was designed to accommodate the large overhangs requested by the client. A kick out brace was installed against the building to support the overhang and roof load. Site installation of the trusses and standing seam metal roof allowed for this large of a building to still achieve the desired roof pitch. Durability and easy maintenance of the floor was required and the owner foreseeing long-term the customer upgraded the flooring to Forbo Rubber tiles.
Total Square Feet : 10080