Tacoma Public Schools’ Post

Government schools frequently face the challenge of deteriorating facilities due to lack of maintenance following their initial construction. This often results in plain, peeling walls that create an uninspiring and unhealthy learning environment for students. In response to this issue, the "Creative Artwork" was brought in to revitalize these neglected spaces. In order to address the same, Thuvakkam and Saama partnered to address these problems by thoroughly cleaning and revamping government school environments. The project focuses on more than just surface-level improvements; it includes a comprehensive overhaul of school walls, which are often affected by moisture and water damage, leading to paint deterioration and musty odors. These conditions not only create an unpleasant atmosphere but also contribute to an environment that is prone to misuse and neglect. To combat these issues, the project involves detailed cleaning and scrubbing of the walls to remove any accumulated grime and moisture. Following this, the walls are revitalized with creative artwork, including educational diagrams, social awareness messages, and thematic decorations. This artistic touch aims to inspire and engage students, transforming the learning environment into one that is vibrant and stimulating. The renovation does more than just improve the aesthetic appeal of the school buildings; it also strengthens the walls against further weather damage. By reinforcing the surfaces with protective and decorative elements, the project ensures a longer-lasting and more resilient infrastructure. This not only prevents future deterioration but also enhances the overall durability of the facilities. The core objective of the Creative Artwork initiative is to create a positive and encouraging learning environment that supports student growth and development. The refreshed spaces, adorned with meaningful artwork and messages, foster a sense of pride and belonging among students, encouraging them to engage more actively with their education. By improving the physical surroundings, the project contributes to a healthier, more stimulating atmosphere that promotes academic and personal development. #SaamaTechSchool #VolunteerWork #PaintingForAPurpose #GivingBack #CommunityService #MakeADifference #VolunteerPainting #SchoolMakeover #ColoringForACause #VolunteerPower #PaintingWithAPurpose #CommunityFirst #VolunteerSpirit #BeTheChange #PaintingForChange

What does it take to transform an aging school into a state-of-the-art learning environment? For Kroeschell, it took precision, teamwork, and a commitment to quality. We completely overhauled 75-80% of a charter school in Colorado—creating new classrooms, upgrading offices, and more. We addressed every challenge, from outdated renovations to new accessibility features, all within the same timeline. The outcome? A vibrant, safe, and modern educational space ready for the new school year. Read more about how we approach educational facility renovations: https://lnkd.in/gD2U_FYj #Education #LearningEnvironment #FacilityManagement #ConstructionProjects #SafetyFirst

Another story from the world of cities (Chicago, Cleveland, Seattle, Pittsburgh) who repurpose no-longer-used school buildings rather than demolish them, as reported by Forbes. As the author notes, “This development approach can help salvage a substantial number of historic school buildings that contribute to neighborhoods, preserve a legacy and provide a sustainable approach that reduces carbon emissions.” For example, Chicago "... launched an initiative to repurpose four dozen school buildings across the Windy City. The city found that using a city landmark designation allowed it to gain incentives that helped turn rehabilitation endeavors involving private developers into viable undertakings." The author concludes, "Thousands of shuttered schools dot the U.S. landscape. Evidently there’s a lot of opportunity for developers [not to mention elected officials] to create more sustainable and affordable multifamily housing simply by directing themselves 'back to school.'" #PreservationMatters to #TacomaHistory and #AffordableHousing. #AdaptiveReuse not #GaultDemolition. @Save Eastside Tacoma's Historic Gault School #PeopleSavingPlaces and Community History

One of our client's campus had outgrown its facility, and a replacement was necessary due to existing site grades and other complications. Below is an example of planning for successful phasing to allow an elementary school to function while construction is being completed. * Phase 1 - Relocation & Removal, Add Core Facilities: Set a temporary playground on the ball field and remove four portable buildings to provide a two-story facility with core spaces and ten classrooms. * Phase 2- Demolition & Removal, Add New Classroom Wing: Begin demolishing gymnasium, cafeteria, kitchen and portables, and relocate users to the existing structure. Core functions can transfer to the new facility. * Phase 3- Demolition, Add New Playground: Demolish the existing building to leave space for a new playground. Expand the north parking lot to provide parking for visitors on the south side, along with a kindergarten drop-off. New buildings will tie in with the existing kindergarten building to create a well-organized and safe environment for students teachers while keeping the neighborhood aesthetic.     #VA_Architects

Rangiora High School was in the news recently. They’ve put up walls in their recent new build. I find these stories and the responses to them absolutely fascinating.  If you look through comments on the articles in social media there is tremendous feeling and emotion from parents around the design and layout of the buildings. To the point of vitriol. I have seen this in my own local community. There is such a lack of understanding. Rangiora is reversing the process that occurred when the building was constructed. Walls are going up. In this case, having wandered around the build, design didn’t seem to have been well considered. To their credit leadership looked to change the approach to learning to match. Such a huge change for an existing staff was always going to be a challenge. A new build for an existing school won’t change a thing if the approach to learning doesn’t change with it. In fact, you will get problems. Thing is, I think people are missing the key point. They’re just buildings. They don’t actually cause learning. You can learn anywhere, under any conditions. Parents get so caught up in the look of schools now and it isn’t the key factor. The teachers are. My sons have flourished in their school because the approach to learning was built with the school itself. There’s breakout spaces, there’s flexibility, and there’s the ability for students to work together or in groups. You can learn in any space. I have been banging on about flexible education and learning recently. If you want to truly approach learning in a flexible and open way, with few barriers, then of course the building design should support this. This can be achieved in a traditional siloed build, but it is just that little bit more difficult. In the end though. Pedagogy matters. Buildings? Only to an extent. #flexiblelearning #connectedlearning #flexibleeducation #ILE #FLE

The skills these students are learning are as important as working together for a common goal. Onward creativity! #architecture #design #CASAfundraiser #teamwork #CASAParadeofPlayhouses #PreservationParkCities #realestate #briggsfreemansir #sothebysinternationalrealty #globalrealestateadvisor #lovewhereyoulive

Did You Know?: The Importance of Long-Range Planning Did you know that there are classrooms at Cedar Creek Elementary with no windows?  While this is obviously unhealthy, it is incredibly surprising how many variants in design there are in classrooms even within just one school. Every student and educator deserves a safe learning and work environment. Locker rooms should be mold free and band halls should have capacity for ALL the students. And what is up with the parking? The Long-Range Facility Planning is our district's current commitment to providing a safe and inclusive learning environment. Thoughtful facility planning will allow us to distribute limited resources in a way that serves the most students effectively. This needs oversight and experience from a parent that has been working inside our buildings. Our plan needs to enhance security, provide updated technological infrastructure, and increase accessibility of facilities for all students as well as modernization to improve the climate, lighting and acoustics of the classroom. Research shows increased academic performance from students in a comfortable learning environment.  As for recruiting teachers, having a new or updated school shows our community is invested in and values the public education it provides. It has been shown that new and renovated school buildings can have a significant impact on how long teachers stay at a particular school or even stay in the profession entirely. Renovation effects extend well beyond the brick and mortar.

Summer Sprint for School Construction is On for Erickson-Hall CONSTRUCTION: Escondido Co. Thrives in Niche Industry BY RAY HUARD ESCONDIDO – Erickson-Hall Construction Company is in the midst of what company President Mat Gates calls a summer sprint of school construction projects in Southern California, including two in San Diego County. “We’re pushing upwards of about $100 million of work,” Gates said. Since its founding in 1998 with a staff of four, the employee-owned company has grown to have 212 employees and has become a powerhouse in school construction from new buildings to renovations. “Doing schools is a niche industry. The requirements in California are extensive, and we’ve been a school builder since the very beginning and we were building schools with other companies as we were coming up through the trades,” Gates said. Of the $3.5 billion in construction projects that Erickson-Hall has completed, $3 billion has been for K-12 and higher education projects. Gates said that 30% to 35% of the company’s annual revenue comes from school projects that it does during the summer. This summer, the company has seven school projects under way, including nearly $30 million of work at Albert Einstein Academy Charter School for San Diego Unified School District and a $9 million library modernization project at Eastlake High School for the Sweetwater Union High School District. The Eastlake work is particularly challenging because it has to be done quickly, Gates said. “We’ve got about six, seven weeks to get it done,” Gates said. “We’re basically stripping the library and rebuilding it, leaving the frame intact, (adding) new technology, new infrastructure, and redoing the shelving and putting it back together.” At Albert Einstein Academy, Erickson-Hall plans to complete about $8 million to $9 million of work on the overall $30 million project that Gates said would take a year to complete. “Basically, we’re prepping for a new building,” Gates said, “putting in the site work while the kids are gone.” https://lnkd.in/eyn9EjPU #construction #commercialrealestate #development #schools #building

SUPER PROGRESS AT CHENNESTONE PRIMARY SCHOOL  Work is advancing rapidly at Chennestone Primary School in Sunbury-on-Thames, as Surrey County Council's project transitions into autumn. The project includes comprehensive strengthening and refurbishment of the flat roofs across the school estate, covering a total of 22 roofs and 2,000 square metres. The removal of asbestos-containing materials has been completed ahead of schedule for 2024, and six roofs have already been fully stripped and replaced with new, high-quality Bauder Flat Roofs roofing. Additionally, two of these roofs have had new fascias installed, with capsheet applied to the new trim. To ensure minimal disruption to the students' learning experience, some classes will temporarily move to the newly installed Portakabins over the next few months, while work is conducted on the roofs above their classrooms. Safety and minimising disruption are MCS’s highest priorities during the execution of this project; so earlier this month Site Manager, Danica Chambers, delivered two important presentations. The first, held during a teacher training session, where Danica explained the project’s progress, the associated new safe operating procedures and programme. The second was delivered to the pupils during school assembly. The pupils, aged between 5 and 11, were excited to learn about the improvements happening at their school. They asked a variety of thoughtful questions, including: "How long does it take to replace a roof?", "Do we need to wear hard hats too?" and "What are those big white things on the school field?"—referring to the Portakabins. All these works are very carefully coordinated and delivered in a strict phased sequence, with full collaboration from the school, in order to minimise disruption. #construction #constructionUK #constructionNews #LoveConstruction #refurbishment #School #Surrey #building #extension #collaboration

Why do school districts need health/life safety assessments? 🤔 They’re integral to strategizing the best use for current buildings or how to develop new ones. After our assessment for Litchfield Community Unit School District 12, the decision was made to consolidate four early learning facilities into two buildings. Litchfield Elementary marks the first of the two – the newly constructed facility is a four-section building that houses second through fifth grades and includes 17 general education classrooms, 5 specialized education classrooms, a motor skills room and a gymnasium. We also made sure that the new school meets the District’s sustainability goals: we designed Litchfield Elementary to conserve energy, reduce life-cycle costs and improve comfort for those within the building and to meet the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings. 🌱 #fgma #pk12 #sustainable #design #webuildcommunity