Prototype school design concept unworkable
By Jeannette Lubsen, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, May 14, 2007
Several new elementary and middle schools have been constructed and more are being planned. Rather than the expense of designing each school separately, why hasn't one good design been used for all? -- Sioux City
After the 1 percent local option sales and services tax was passed in 1998, the School Board investigated the concept of a prototype design for middle schools and elementary schools, according to William Stoneburg, chief financial officer. The conclusion was a prototype design concept was unworkable for several reasons and the architectural consultants working with the board agreed with the conclusion. Among their findings:
1. State law requires all school building projects have an architect and/or engineer develop "plans, specifications and a bid form of contract" for the Public Hearings and Competitive Bidding process. The City Building Code Department also demands architect drawings and plans to get City permits, etc. So even if a prototype design was being used, each project would need individual architect attention and time to adapt general plans to the particular site and current building regulations and technology.
2. Constraints on some building sites could require two floors and elevator, even though single level would normally be preferred. The physical characteristics of the site available affects the construction design.
3. The board learned from architects the heating and ventilation system design for a building cannot necessarily work at another site unless the building "sits on the compass" in exactly the same manner as the prototype.
4. Architects also have serious professional liability insurance issues and professional ethics issues when a prototype design is contemplated. The architect cannot release a set of drawings to be used at another site unless he thoroughly investigates the suitability of that construction design for that particular site.
5. The School Board could not be sure every school would need to be the same size. Some neighborhood feeder systems just do not supply as many students as another, and the school may need to be smaller or bigger.
6. The new East Middle School is actually a major addition to the former Hayworth Middle School. A prototype would not have fit that plan, given the site characteristics and major elevation changes.
7. The school building needs to fit the educational program planned for that site which can vary school to school. Perhaps more special sized classrooms are needed for special education classes at a particular school.
8. Architect building design can change as various construction components change in cost. If petroleum-based materials or concrete or lumber rise or fall in cost, the architect can vary the design to minimize the cost of construction.
9. Finally, the school board felt since we are dealing with an asset that should last for 75 years or more, the community would appreciate the aesthetic value of various architectural designs that fit the characteristics of the site and neighborhood.
After the 1 percent local option sales and services tax was passed in 1998, the School Board investigated the concept of a prototype design for middle schools and elementary schools, according to William Stoneburg, chief financial officer. The conclusion was a prototype design concept was unworkable for several reasons and the architectural consultants working with the board agreed with the conclusion. Among their findings:
1. State law requires all school building projects have an architect and/or engineer develop "plans, specifications and a bid form of contract" for the Public Hearings and Competitive Bidding process. The City Building Code Department also demands architect drawings and plans to get City permits, etc. So even if a prototype design was being used, each project would need individual architect attention and time to adapt general plans to the particular site and current building regulations and technology.
2. Constraints on some building sites could require two floors and elevator, even though single level would normally be preferred. The physical characteristics of the site available affects the construction design.
3. The board learned from architects the heating and ventilation system design for a building cannot necessarily work at another site unless the building "sits on the compass" in exactly the same manner as the prototype.
4. Architects also have serious professional liability insurance issues and professional ethics issues when a prototype design is contemplated. The architect cannot release a set of drawings to be used at another site unless he thoroughly investigates the suitability of that construction design for that particular site.
5. The School Board could not be sure every school would need to be the same size. Some neighborhood feeder systems just do not supply as many students as another, and the school may need to be smaller or bigger.
6. The new East Middle School is actually a major addition to the former Hayworth Middle School. A prototype would not have fit that plan, given the site characteristics and major elevation changes.
7. The school building needs to fit the educational program planned for that site which can vary school to school. Perhaps more special sized classrooms are needed for special education classes at a particular school.
8. Architect building design can change as various construction components change in cost. If petroleum-based materials or concrete or lumber rise or fall in cost, the architect can vary the design to minimize the cost of construction.
9. Finally, the school board felt since we are dealing with an asset that should last for 75 years or more, the community would appreciate the aesthetic value of various architectural designs that fit the characteristics of the site and neighborhood.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
