The addition and renovations to Glenwood Springs Elementary School, totaling 86,500 square feet, added new space and renovated an existing 1920s-era elementary school to accommodate 300 more students-- for a total of 550 pre-K-5 students. At the start of the design process, TreanorHL and the Roaring Fork School District, determined that in order to provide the best facility, the team would demolish many of the existing classroom buildings and replace them with new spaces while preserving the main historic structure. As part of the project, the existing historic structure was completely renovated and restored with new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

A new 54,500 SF addition boasts a cafe, a classroom wing with collaborative learning spaces, administration areas, media center, Robotics/Teaching and Collaboration Center, and a new early childhood education center. The addition was designed around the school’s expeditionary learning curriculum, which emphasizes multidisciplinary, project-based learning and is heavily rooted in a connection to the outdoors. Reflecting the school’s outward focus, the classrooms feature large windows, earth tones, generous amounts of natural light and views of courtyards.

The interior spaces were designed for flexibility, adaptability, and interaction with open break-out spaces, folding glass partitions and mobile furnishings integrating comfort and simplicity. From cradle-to-cradle carpeting and bio-based flooring to rubber wall base and adhesives, the design team selected a variety of green materials for the school, which is on track to achieve LEED Gold certification.

The school’s design was inspired by the city itself, which is located in the narrow mountain valley and sits at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers. The school’s corridors mimic a river as it bends its way through the mountains and the carpets feature ripples and ribbons to achieve the feel of swift-moving water. Round and oval shape design elements are used throughout to achieve a free sense of movement with ceilings that introduce curves, rounded light fixtures, oval rugs and circular tack-boards.