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:

Final Predesign Scheme Selected for Each School

On Tuesday, the architects presented the final Predesign versions of the two selected schemes for each school site to the Ed Spec Committee. The schemes had been further refined based on input from the committee and site requirements.

The Ed Spec Committee unanimously chose the "Elemental Flow" scheme for Riverview and the"Nature Path" scheme for Machias. Click on the images below for a PDF of the revised scheme for each option:

Riverview Elementary School Selected Scheme: "Elemental Flow":

Machias Elementary School Selected Scheme: "Nature Path":

On Wednesday 11/5/08, the architects and Ed Spec Committee presented these selected schemes to the School Board and explained the committee's process.

October 22nd Meeting Notes

Meeting notes from the Ed Spec Committee Meeting on October 22nd are available here. At this meeting, 3 revised schemes were presented for each school. The committee deliberated and chose the 2 schemes for each school (shown below) for further refinement. At the next meeting, these selected schemes will be re-presented for a final scheme decision.