Kalamazoo Public Schools Washington Writers' Academy :: New Elementary School

Kalamazoo, MI

Architect

Story

Client ChallengeReplace the 1921 Washington Writers’Academy building with a new elementarybuilding. The existing building posed anumber of challenges for school securityand was lacking in spaces that supportthe needs of today’s students. It wasrequired that the gymnasium builtin 2003 remained and that the newstructure integrate into the surroundingneighborhood and continue to serve as ananchor for the community.TowerPinkster SolutionThe new 2-story Washington Writers’ Academyis organized on the site so that it has greaterpresence along the Portage Street corridor.Due to the urban setting, on-site drop off andparking is limited. The bus drop off is located ina pull-off lane along the north side of the site.Parent drop off and parking is located to thesouth. The building layout allows for easysupervision of activities from a few selectpoints. Equipped with a secure entry vestibule,the main office is located centrally to allowfor direct views to the two drop off areas andfor direct view to the main access stair to thesecond level. The detailing of the exteriorbrick and stone along with the traditionallooking windows of the classroom wings payhomage to the historic educational buildingsthat previously stood on the site. The mainentry and stairwells are detailed in a morecontemporary arrangement through the use ofglass and metal.

Facts

  • Title: Kalamazoo public schools washington writers' academy
  • Subtitle: New elementary school
  • Location: Kalamazoo, mi
  • Postal code: 49001
  • Phase: Complete
  • Completion Date: December, 2014


Project Identification Number:

PP-OTR-1E33-1D6F-1D63-D1ED-3


Status: Completed


Tags

  • k12
  • elementary
  • School
  • KPS
  • Kalamazoo


Project Credits:

Tower Pinkster

Architect

Tower Pinkster

architecture, mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, landscape architecture, Interior Design


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