The Elkhorn Public School District growth and existing school capacities dictated
the need for two new elementary schools to be ready by the start of the school year
beginning fall of 2025. The district voters approved moving forward with the school
bond in November 2023. This meant the two new four section 600 student
elementary school designs both had to meet very aggressive design and construction
schedules on both sites. The design team evaluated several construction materials
and overall building designs that would assist the team in meeting the district goals.
It was determined that the use of precast wall with integral finishes for the exterior
wall assembly with a design that utilized repetitive panel design would be the best
option. In addition the design team assembled and issued three early bid packages
to allow for work to begin on site while the building design was being completed.
The early bid packages included; site grading, geothermal wellfield installation, and
the pre-cast wall panels. In-order to expedite the wall panel shop drawing process,
it was determined to fur-out the interior face of the walls at all of the classroom
wings, to allow for future installation of electrical, plumbing and low-voltage
components that could be better coordinated in the field and minimize any delays.
The design team met with district staff, principals, and several department heads to
review lessons learned on recent designs and develop an efficient layout that
optimized functional space.