KIRKWOOD ELEMENTARY

Kirkwood Elementary School is the fifth facility utilizing this prototypical design adopted by the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. The layout is organized into five distinct zones: 1. the Administrative Suite, 2. four Learning Communities featuring classrooms, a resource room, and a teacher workroom, 3. the Media Center, 4. the Kitchen, Cafeteria, and Activity Room, and 5. the Gymnasium. 

The building's exterior includes notable architectural features such as an arched entrance canopy, a large glass atrium, and butterfly-wing clerestories that allow natural daylight to illuminate the Learning Communities and supply outside air for the HVAC system. The facade combines masonry, E.I.F.S., and aluminum storefront. 

Navigating the building is straightforward, with direct access from the main entrance lobby to both the Media Center and Administrative area, as well as clear circulation routes to the Learning Communities surrounding the main lobby. Special education students have dedicated spaces within the building. Enhanced egress is ensured through strategically arranged corridor exits and direct exits from each classroom to improve student safety. 

This school is designed with both the environment and its users in mind. Natural daylighting is integrated with electric lighting controls (sensors), reducing the need for artificial lighting adjacent to windows as lights dim automatically when sufficient daylight is present. The HVAC system features a highly efficient closed-loop water source heat pump with an energy recovery system, all managed by a computerized building management system. This system interconnects with the lighting and electrical systems, allowing areas of the building to be easily switched on or off, either with a touch of a button or through a scheduling program. Significant efforts have been made to enhance indoor air quality and ventilation. The use of low-VOC paints, adhesives, and materials promotes better student health, higher teacher retention, and improved performance. Many specified materials are high in recycled content, reducing our environmental impact, while others are locally or regionally manufactured to lower overall construction costs. 

Attention has been given to the needs of young students as they transition into learning spaces, fostering better learning environments. All classrooms benefit from natural light through high ribbon windows along the north and south walls; studies show that natural daylight can positively influence students' test scores, with an average increase of up to 25%. Acoustical ceiling tiles enhance sound quality, ensuring students can hear their teachers and classmates without difficulty. In Kindergarten classrooms, where children spend time on the floor for naps and play, carpet tiles are used to create a softer atmosphere. The school features a fully equipped Media Center, a computer lab, and classrooms for music and arts and crafts. These areas, along with the gymnasium, auxiliary gymnasium, and cafeteria, also serve as community meeting spaces. 

The gymnasium includes a stage, enabling it to function as an auditorium. It is equipped with basketball goals, including an automated goal that raises to provide an unobstructed view of the stage. Energy-efficient, impact-resistant glass units around the gymnasium perimeter let in natural light. Additionally, there is an auxiliary gym available for faculty use. Exposed ceilings comprising the underside of the metal deck in the gymnasium and cafeteria provide cost savings by eliminating the need for a finished ceiling and reducing artificial lighting while improving the acoustical qualities of these spaces. The kitchen is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment, a spacious and accessible dock area, and three independent serving lines to alleviate congestion. Sensors and low-flow plumbing fixtures have been implemented to minimize water consumption. 

Kirkwood Elementary School is designed to foster an enriching and safe learning environment for students while prioritizing sustainability and community engagement. The thoughtful layout and innovative features cater to the diverse needs of young learners, promoting educational excellence through natural light, efficient systems, and collaborative spaces. This facility not only serves as a hub for academic growth but also stands as a model for environmentally conscious design in educational settings, ensuring that future generations benefit from a healthy and inspiring atmosphere.