Opened for the 2021/2022 school year, the Jim Rollins Elementary School of Innovation is the k-5 level extension of Springdale Schools’ innovative education pathway offering hands-on education in a flexible learning environment. The new 92,000 square foot facility is a departure from previous elementary schools in the district and region with its emphasis on flexible space planning alongside a project-based curriculum. WDD Architects understood that a rigorous planning process was needed to carry the concept to completion. Rather than modify a previous design, the architects led an interactive series of visioning sessions with district administrators, principals, and construction managers to imagine a bold new design.
Special attention was paid to the unique needs of each age level. Kindergartens, located on the ground floor are enclosed rooms flanked by shared small group rooms and individual restrooms. First and second grades, also on the first floor, are structured in a more open environment with islands of storage and break-out rooms. On the upper level, third, fourth, and fifth grade students are clustered in 3-sided classrooms with access to community sinks and shared break-out spaces.
The final challenge to completing this project was an ambitious timeline. In July of 2020, the owner directed the team to open for the school year beginning in August of 2021 rather than 2022 as originally planned. Working closely with the district and the construction manager, WDD Architects used a fast-track delivery method to take the project from concept design to owner occupancy in just over 12 months. The team worked intensely with the metal building system supplier to optimize the building envelope to reduce both installation time and cost. Supply chain and material shortages that began in late 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic placed additional pressure on the project team. WDD Architects brought a team player mentality to the construction process, enabling the construction team to succeed in the face of these challenges.
Open since August of 2021, the Jim Rollins Elementary School of Innovation is a testament to what is possible in educational architecture when a bold vision is matched with creative planning and design.