Dr. Don R. Roberts Elementary School Little Rock, Arkansas New Construction Project of Distinction Wittenberg, Delony & Davidson Architects 2011 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Dr. Don R. Roberts Elementary School

Main Student Entry Roberts Elementary School is located on a busy intersection of a State Highway, adjacent to local residential and commercial streets. To blend with the residential environment, the exterior façade is appropriately scaled for community and alludes to internal academic neighborhoods

Zoned Playgrounds Community Environment: An existing tree grove is a focal point for the age appropriate zoned playgrounds. Dedicated parking and entry features provided for Pre-K, parent drop-off, bus rides and service vehicles to provide unique identities, increase efficiency & reduce impact of traffic on the neighborhood. To accommodate the restrictive 20-acre site, the architects implemented a two-story design solution. To enhance the relationship with the surrounding community, areas of the school are designed to be sealed off for after-school use and community activities.

Media Center Learning Environment: Serving 895 students from Pre-K to fifth grade; Roberts Elementary is designed into learning neighborhoods; creating smaller “collaborative communities " for students with varied learning settings for individual, team, small, medium & large group. These communities are divided by grade level and arranged to be easily accessible to the media center which is considered the "center of learning." This learning arrangement furthers the Little Rock School District's initiative to create intimate learning opportunities for all students amidst its large student population.

Collaborative Learning Areas Learning Environment: Learning neighborhoods follow team teaching model with a variety of learning settings for diverse sized group learning. The classroom clusters and flexible team learning areas with the integration of technology provides space outside classrooms for project based learning under supervision of the teacher and larger group discussion programs. Collaboration between grade levels is achieved by adjacency of flexible team learning area to the main gallery. Integration of special education spaces in the neighborhoods encourages student diversity while allowing those with special needs to be incorporated into the complete education process.

Cross-Section/Day Light Strategy Physical Environment Large windows, rooftop monitors and interior glazing provide natural daylight into interior spaces reinforcing connection to the natural world. North natural light infiltrates the learning neighborhoods Classroom heat gain is mitigated by solar orientation, translucent canopies, and sun shades. The facility is oriented so majority of classrooms receive shaded south light and mountain views through curtain wall to the north. The building entries face the neighborhood to instill community connection and away from the highway for safe access and reduce impact of traffic on neighborhood. Expansive views to the exterior also enhances the students natural curiosity to the natural environment.

Pre-K Reading Nook; Wayfinding Physical Environment Continuous insulation, reflective roofs, and sunscreens provide summer passive building cooling, and southern facing glazing with properly located shading promotes solar heat gain during the winter. Exterior cladding is regional brick, aluminum curtain wall and metal panels of recycled steel. Insulated glazing, clerestory windows, and rooftop monitors, with photometric and occupancy sensors create a day lighting strategy that reduces overall energy consumption. Individual classroom HVAC units, coupled with heat recover units, occupancy sensors and individualized controls maximum individual comfort and energy efficiency. Regionally milled wood paneling, rubber tile floors and low VOC scuff-resistant paint reinforce a warm, home like atmosphere.

South Elevation Detail Planning Process: During site selection process, community meetings were held in adjacent attendance zones for parent and local leader input on location, programmatic and academic issues. Work sessions with district staff and school board assured physical spaces created were based upon educational priorities, curriculum trends, functional patterns and the integration of technology into learning environments. This dialogue of community and parent forums, along with student input continued during conceptual design and through the construction process to assure broad participation and open communication. As room mockups were completed during construction, building and virtual tours were given to verify planning process.

Overall aerial view; North & West façades Planning Process: The site is located adjacent to a highway and residential neighborhood. The “L” shaped building shelters playgrounds and adjacent neighborhood from vehicular and service areas and a protected grove of trees preserve the wooded character of the site. Mandated storm detention was designed to reinterpret a pond once on the site. The facility is oriented so majority of classrooms receive shaded south light and mountain views through curtain wall to the north. The building entries face the neighborhood to instill community connection and away from the highway for safe access and reduce impact of traffic on neighborhood.

Floor plan LEVEL 1 Educational spaces Gymnasium Cafeteria/Support Spaces Art/Music Administration Special Needs/Counseling Media Center/Support Spaces Corridors/Support Spaces

Floor plan LEVEL 2 Education Spaces Computer Labs Corridors/Support Spaces

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Data Submitting Firm :WITTENBERG, DELONY & DAVIDSON, INC Project RoleArchitect of Record Project ContactJack F. See, FAIA TitlePrincipal-in-Charge Address400 W. Capitol, Ste City, State or Province, CountryLittle Rock, AR Phone Joint Partner Firm: Project Role Project Contact Title Address City, State or Province, Country Phone Other Firm: Project Role Project Contact Title Address City, State or Province, Country Phone Construction Firm:NABHOLZ Project RoleContractor Project ContactMike Armstrong TitleSuperintendent Address1500 Aldersgate City, State or Province, CountryLittle Rock, AR Phone

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2011 Project Details Project Name DON R. ROBERTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL City LITTLE ROCK State ARKANSAS District Name LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT Supt/President DR. MORRIS HOLMES /SUPT Occupancy Date AUGUST 2010 Grades Housed PRE K - 5 Capacity(Students) 865 Site Size (acres) 20 ACRES Gross Area (sq. ft.) 158,380 Per Occupant(pupil) 183 gross/net please indicate Design and Build? If yes, Total Cost: $26,700,000 Includes: construction If no, Site Development: n/a Building Construction: n/a Fixed Equipment: n/a Other: Total: $26,700,000

Student Bus Entry Detail

Circulation, Daylighting