Rock Creek Community Academy
Additional Info
Award Winner : Mobilease Modular Space, Inc.
Architectural Excellence : Founded in Sellersburg, Indiana as a church affiliated K-12 school in 1978 and facing sudden enrollment declines due to the failing economy, the board petitioned the State of Indiana to establish the Rock Creek Community Academy (RCCA) as a publicly funded charter which opened for the 2010-11 school year. In its first weeks of operation, RCCA enrollment increased from 160 to 383 students. Lack of classroom space became a major concern, so office and visitor areas were converted for student use. By early 2011, the Academy planned to address its space crunch by utilizing part of a nearby church. Not satisfied with an aging single classroom mobile building already on site, the board never considered use of additional modular space to meet its needs. Mobilease encouraged the school to expand with a permanent modular structure set at grade on adjacent space and suggested that canopies and sidewalks be installed to ease student passage from a 6,800 SF modular building to the existing school.
Cost Energy Effectiveness : Charter schools operate on very tight budgets as, unlike local public school districts, they do not have the legal authority to raise revenue for new or expanded facilities through voter approval of construction bonds or property tax rate increases. The seven-year-old modular structure was furnished and installed for substantially less than the cost of new construction. All floor coverings, wall coverings and exterior doors were replaced and the building was repainted. Some supply air diffusers and ceiling tiles were damaged. The roof required repair in multiple areas. Cost effective and attractive landscaping was added to blend in with the surrounding, rural environment. Programmable electronic thermostats were installed to improve occupant comfort and to substantially reduce annual energy consumption. Additional fossil fuel use and student transportation costs were eliminated as the new building is within steps of the school, not a five minute bus trip away at the other church.
Occupied Date : 1/15/2012
Production Start Date : 12/1/2011
Project Location City : Sellersburg
Project Location State Name : IN
Technical Innovation : First built as a standard six-classroom building without restrooms, a science classroom with chemical storage, a tech closet, staff offices or a public visiting area, the RCCA building had to be repurposed to achieve its educational goals. The building was completely renovated and expanded by 1,825 SF. The structure was installed under difficult, wet winter conditions on a perimeter concrete grade beam over an excavated crawl space. Local architect Renaissance Design Build Inc. and Mobilease worked closely together to carefully select exterior colors to match the finishes of the both adjoining church and the existing school. High-quality exterior stone with a limestone cap, a site built parapet and storefront glass doors were installed to create a welcoming and attractive main entrance. Modern teaching aides, including Smart Boards, were added to each classroom.
Total Square Feet : 7140
Category : Renovated Reuse: Greatest Renovation: under 10,000 sq. ft.