The design for the new South Bend Elementary School draws from various elements that are near and dear to the South Bend Community. Utilizing common materials, EMA designed the new 30,000 SF elementary school to reflect elements that support the region and community.

The 2-story wood framed structure utilizes stick framed walls beneath a metal deck roof supported by Glu-laminated Beam construction. Through the design process various roof structures were analyzed for efficiency of materials and cost savings and the 8 ft spans achievable by a metal deck atop Glu-lam beams yielded the most cost effective and efficient structural system. The roof and glulam supports also reinforces the school district’s desire to reflect the community’s value of wood, water and fish. The undulating roof emulates waves and fish while the glulam beams and outriggers support enforce the region’s wood industry.

Through the creative use of materials like Hardie panels and articulating protruding windows EMA used ordinary materials in an extra-ordinary way to reflect the vernacular of the area’s architecture. Board and batten siding in a tighter than typical house pattern links industrial metal buildings into a residential neighborhood. A fiber cement panel wainscot not only reduces weight on the building but provides a protective lower transition area to the building which would normally be masonry. Protruding windows common in many “modern designs” are constructed from typical engineered wood members and clad in pre-finished break metal. The School Board was surprised and delighted that EMA could provide a heightened level of design using common materials in an uncommon way.

The replacement school co-occupied the site with the existing elementary school (until phase 2 where the previous building was demolished to make way for a parent drop off loop) and sits slightly behind an existing High School. Challenges during the design process included riverbed soils that extend down 120’ and extensive pilings systems to support foundations. EMA was also able to reduce costs on the project from an initial $19M estimate to the final bid budget of $11.5M.