Creekside Elementary School
The innovative school features a 2-story classroom wing, a commons area and a single-story early education, administration, and gymnasium wing.
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder Valley School District
Bennett Wagner Grody Architects (Cannon Design)
52,000
Engaging curiosity to learn
The Big Picture
In contrast to the old Creekside Elementary School building, constructed in the 1950s, the new school is spacious and modern. The 52,000-square-foot facility has plenty of classrooms, along with a variety of open, closed and flex spaces to encourage group and independent learning. Teachers share a community office space and instead of chalkboards, large screen TVs can be found throughout the facility. Creekside is a 21st century school designed and constructed for 21st century learning.
Ingenuity in Action
The new Creekside Elementary School was being constructed while students continued to attend the old facility, adjacent to the site. Perimeter fencing and screen was erected to separate the new construction from the existing school, keeping the staff and students safe and minimizing disruptions to their educational activities. Work hours were closely monitored and disruptive events were discussed with school officials and neighbors prior to each activity.
The little details
- The main front entry features bulletproof glass as part of the school’s security measures.
- The facility is designed to meet LEED Platinum, and is set for Net Zero.
- Tables easily change height and let students and teachers change the learning environment to meet their needs.
- Students were engaged in the construction process through construction tours, groundbreaking and topping out activities, as well as learning modules throughout construction.