Site Preparation Work is Underway

Farewell to the old school buildings! The site preparation work is well underway at the Riverview and Machias sites.

The projects are moving forward on an accelerated schedule. The work is divided into 3 parts: Site Preparation, Steel Fabrication and then the Building Projects. This allows the preliminary work to be done while the County is reviewing the building permit submittals, saving time on the overall schedule.

Both projects are proceeding on schedule, with Construct Co. performing the site preparation work at Machias and Northwest Construction at Riverview.

The existing school buildings have been cleaned out and demolished, making way for the installation of utilities, grading and preparation of the building pad for the new buildings. The structural steel will bid in September, so that fabrication can begin early. The main Building Project contracts will bid and Contractors will be chosen before the end of this year, to be ready to start work in January.

Shown above is the new on-site water pipe being installed at Machias. Both sites require upgraded water service for building plumbing, fire sprinklers and fire hydrants.

Here's what the Riverview site looks like. To save cost and environmental impact, as many materials as possible are being reused or recycled. At both sites, contractors are creating separate piles containing:

- steel for recycling

- structural brick, concrete and asphalt to be crushed for reuse as a stable sub-base under paved areas

- wood glulam beams for reuse in the new buildings

Also, before the existing buildings were demolished, memorial elements and student art were removed and stored for future installation in the new buildings.

Snohomish County Tribune Article

The Snohomish County Tribune features an article highlighting the energy-saving green designs for Machias and Riverview Elementary Schools, by Michael Whitney. Check it out HERE.

We have updated the previously posted renderings to incoporate more subtle revisions suggested by the Design Committee, including accent colors. Click on the image below to see all of the current renderings for each school.

Machias Elementary - click the image

Riverview Elementary - click the image

Riverview Elementary Design Update

Click on this image to see a PDF of new renderings of the Riverview Elementary design!

NAC Architecture incorporated suggestions from the Design Committee to create a warm, welcoming building design. The interior spaces are connected to the exterior with natural materials, transparency and light.

Please be sure to come to the Community Open House on Tuesday 5/26, 6:30 pm at Riverview Elementary. You will get a chance to review drawings, talk to the architects and other team members and learn more about the plans for the new school.

At the meeting yesterday, Design Committee members reviewed several options to make decisions on materials and colors. Samples were carefully reviewed in the daylight to make the best judgements.

Machias Design Update

Click on this image to see a PDF of the latest design renderings for Machias Elementary School!

The updated Machias design was reviewed with the Design Committee on May 5th. It will be a great school with exciting spaces, lots of natural light and energy-saving features.

We're working hard on the design for Riverview Elementary, which we are scheduled to show the Design Committee on May 20th.

Riverview In-Class Lesson on Geothermal Heat Exchange

On May 28th, Matt and Philip from NAC Architecture presented to a combined class of Miss Edgbert's and Mrs. Panko's 4th and 5th graders. The kids have been learning about alternative energy sources and this was a chance to discuss the major energy strategy for the new school: geothermal heat exchange.

It's not a simple system, so there was a lot to talk about. The students were very attentive, gave input and asked great questions. We also described other aspects of the new school and had a lively discussion. Thanks for letting us be a part of your classes!

Geothermal heat exchange is a very efficient way to heat and cool a building. It leverages the constant temperature underground (about 55 deg. F) and steps that temperature up or down as required, using compression and expansion. The heat exchange occurs via an array of pipes which loop 300' underground. This is a proven strategy that is increasingly being used for energy savings at schools throughout our state.

Detailed Design Development drawings are in the following PDFs, in preparation for our meetings with staff on Tuesday 2/24. Each PDF file shows plans and elevations for the interiors of both Machias and Riverview:
- Overall Plans
- Grade 1-6 Classrooms and Extended Learning Areas
- Kindergarten Classrooms
- Interdisciplinary Learning Lab
- Commons, Gym, Music and Stage
- Staff Lunchroom and 2nd Floor Staff Workroom

For spaces not included here, we will bring drawings on Tuesday.

Machias Design Update

Click on the image below to see a PDF of plans and renderings showing the updated design for Machias Elementary, presented to the Design Committee at their last meeting, which will be presented to the School Board tomorrow evening.


Also discussed at the last meeting were the core academic spaces of both projects, including classrooms and shared learning areas, reinforcing the Ed Spec goals of flexibility, transparency and daylighting.

News Update: The entire project team congratulates Shaunna Ballas, Ed Spec and Design Committee member, on being selected for a seat on the School Board of Directors!

Schematic Design

We are almost at the end of the "Schematic Design" phase and the overall layout, program areas and site elements are set. This puts us on schedule for the upcoming Conditional Use Permit submittal to Snohomish County next week and to proceed with refinements to the design during the next phase, "Design Development."

Click on the images below to see the site plans, floor plans and perspective renderings for each school, which were presented, discussed and met with overall approval by the Design Committee on Tuesday.

Machias Elementary School, Schematic Design:


Riverview Elementary School, Schematic Design: