1. Springfield Literacy Center
2010 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
Springfield Literacy Center
Springfield, Pennsylvania
Project of Distinction - New Construction
Elementary School
Burt Hill

2. Springfield Literacy Center
Photos by Jeffrey Totaro

3. Springfield Literacy Center
Main Site Diagram

4. Community Environment:
Springfield School District’s community engagement process for the literacy program started long before planning began for the new facility. A description of this project would be that it is a successful educational program in search of a supportive environment. The educational program was the vision of school board member Doug Carney. Doug’s son could not read proficiently at the completion of fourth grade. Finding this unacceptable, Doug decided to be a part of the solution and became a board member. Based on data indicating that achieving literacy proficiency during primary grades improves lifelong learning skills, Doug, with the consensus of the board, challenged the district administrators and educators to meet a goal of 100% proficiency in literacy by completion of fourth grade. The district developed a curriculum that included an individual literacy plan for each student. The curriculum was implemented in The program achieved sustained success. In 2005 the district achieved 99.2% literacy proficiency.
The curriculum had been implemented for many years in the district’s existing double loaded corridor elementary schools. The Springfield community has been very supportive of the district because of the results of this program, and there has been an increase in enrollment from young families moving into the area. This growth in enrollment created an opportunity to plan and design a new facility that would uniquely support the Literacy program for grades K-1. The goals for this new facility were:
Use every penny of investment and every inch of development to support the literacy program.
Create a learning environment that will be the Jewel of the community.
Create a strong link between the outdoor and indoor learning environments.
Create outdoor learning environments tied to the natural environment that could be enjoyed and utilized by the community.

5. Learning Environment:
Springfield School District developed a “mass customization” model of literacy education tailored to provide the level of education needed for each student. Each student is tested as they enter the school system to determine their level of literacy proficiency and their learning style. Based upon this information, the district developed an individual literacy program (ILP) for each student. These ILPs required spaces for specialized activities such as: undistracted short or long duration one on one instruction, collaborative small group instruction in traditional environment, collaborative small group instruction in varietal environments, etc.
The design response for the new Literacy Center is singularly focused on enhancing literacy instruction and providing spaces to support the ILPs. Students approach the building through the front porch, which doubles as a covered outdoor classroom. Students are encouraged to write on the slate chalkboard or on the sidewalk to experience the different tactile surfaces and to display their progress as visitors approach the building. Rain chains convey stormwater from the roof to a bioswale to provide an educational experience during a rainy day. The traditional lobby is replaced by the library so that students and visitors are immediately immersed into the literacy program.

6. Learning Environment Continued:
The kindergarten and first grade classroom wings are separated and are located around a grove of natural trees. They are in a single-loaded arrangement in order to maximize the connection to the natural environment and to maximize the educational function of the circulation space as an extension of the classroom environment for collaborative instruction. A series of flexible, small group instruction spaces are located between classrooms. These are separated from the main classroom by sliding barn doors that include writing surfaces, as well as windows that allow a teacher to monitor students, while providing individualized instruction. Based upon the Tennessee STAR study, the District established a policy reducing class size in first grade. The goal is a maximum of 15 students per classroom.
Diverse student learning styles are supported through non-traditional learning elements such as the extended classrooms, the tree house classroom, the outdoor amphitheater, the green roof classroom, and the front porch. Play is incorporated into the literacy curriculum via the alphabet walk and carefully selected play equipment.

7. Physical Environment:
The 51,000-square-foot facility includes 6 kindergarten classrooms, 18 first grade classrooms, 3 special education classrooms, an intervention space, collaborative learning environments, a library, a multipurpose room, a kitchen, large group instruction spaces, a “front porch”/outdoor classroom, a green roof/outdoor classroom, a tree house classroom, an alphabet walk, and an outdoor amphitheater.
The Literacy Center shares a 25.1 acre site with the district’s existing middle school and athletic fields. The site is an oasis of nature in the midst of a densely developed suburb. The design team used transparency to enhance the visual link with this natural environment and to blur the lines that traditionally divide teaching and learning spaces. The entire site and building are designed to support literacy education, and these spaces are on display through the use of transparency.
The design solution provides maximum flexibility by incorporating folding glass partitions that link classrooms with collaborative learning spaces. Small group instruction spaces between each first grade classroom support the literacy intervention curriculum. Sliding barn doors allow a teacher to monitor students, while providing individualized instruction. This level of flexibility was originally problematic during the pursuit of LEED certification. The design team believed that the prerequisite was too prescriptive in defining a closed classroom for education and worked with USGBC to develop an alternative path for the LEED for Schools prerequisite EQ 3 related to classroom acoustics. The alternative path provided a solution for schools that desire a flexible learning environment.

8. Physical Environment Continued:
Springfield School District mandated that the building design support its literacy program, provide a healthy indoor environment, and reduce energy consumption. These goals served as guidelines during the design process, and as a result, the project is seeking a LEED Gold rating from the USGBC.
The design response was driven by analysis of data throughout the process. The following analysis informed the development: day lighting to evaluate shading and the effects of glazing; the building shell to identify thermal properties of different construction materials and systems; and natural ventilation to determine the best placement of fenestration. Implementing building information modeling helped to inform the design team during analysis. Appropriate orientation was crucial to maximize the views and day lighting, while designing for optimum natural ventilation. The mechanical system consists of geothermal wells that are used to heat and cool the building. Combining the geothermal system with heat pumps that are positioned in the building optimizes the efficiency and reduces the operational costs of the facility.

9. Planning Process:
Three groups were charged with working with the architects to develop the educational program and the design for the new Springfield Literacy Center. These were as follows:
The Facilities Committee. This committee consisted of two school board members and approximately 15 community leaders that had practical construction related experience. This committee met monthly to review and discuss any facility related items to ensure that the district’s educational and financial goals were being met. Upon invitation, the design team and district administrators would attend this meeting to discuss the Literacy Center project. This group made recommendations to the school board concerning facility issues.
The Literacy Center Core Group. This group consisted of district administrators and educators. They were responsible for the development of the literacy curriculum and worked with the design team during the development of the educational doctrine report and facility design. Meetings were held as needed to ensure that the design would support the educational vision. During the design, a full scale mock up of the classroom, intervention, and collaborative learning spaces was constructed. Faculty members were invited to tour the mock up and to make comments and suggestions for improvement.

10. Planning Process Continued:
K-1 Community Group. This group consisted of parents and community members who were interested in taking part in the Literacy Center design. The design team facilitated the meetings, and 22 community members participated. During the first meeting, the group defined nine focus points for the design team:
Library is the hub
Community focus
Opportunity to speak, read, and write
Places for hands-on learning
Using information
Ecology
Storytelling
Technology and multi-media
Play as opportunity for learning
Participants divided into subgroups to further define these focus points and to convey the ideas to the design team.
Subsequent meetings were held during the design process to ensure that the intent was incorporated.

11. Entry Level Floor plan Kindergarten
Extended instructional environment / collaborative learning
Outdoor learning environment
Music
Library
Front porch / entry
First grade
Intervention
Kitchen
Multi-purpose
Administration
Special education
To existing Middle School
Small group Instruction / literacy intervention

12. Upper Level Floor plan First Grade
Extended instructional environment / collaborative learning
Special Education
Green roof / outdoor classroom
Small group instruction / literacy intervention
Roof below
Open to below

13. Lower Level Floor plan First Grade
Extended instructional environment / collaborative learning
Special Education
Work room
MEP
Existing Middle School
Small group instruction / literacy intervention
Tree house classroom

14. Classroom Detail Floor plan
Extended instructional environment / collaborative learning
Extended instructional environment / collaborative learning
Recycling center
Sliding Glass Door
Marker board / movable partition
Sliding barn door with writing surface and windows
Classroom
Classroom
Small group instruction / literacy intervention

15. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Data
Submitting Firm :
Burt Hill
Project Role
Planning, Architecture, Engineering
Project Contact
Rob Pillar
Title
Principal
Address
101. E. Diamond Street, 400 Morgan Center
City, State or Province, Country
Butler, PA
Phone
Joint Partner Firm:
None
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Other Firm:
None
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Construction Firm:
E. P Guidi
Project Role
General Contractor (Single Prime)
Project Contact
Jack Mannke
Title
Address
1301 South Bethlehem Pike
City, State or Province, Country
Ambler, PA
Phone

16. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Details
Project Name
 Springfield Literacy Center
City
Springfield 
State
Pennsylvania 
District Name
Springfield School District 
Supt/President
Dr. James Capolupo 
Occupancy Date
May 2010 
Grades Housed
K-1 
Capacity (Students)
 350 (Note: K is half day so the capacity is 350 at one time but 475 total)
Site Size (acres)
 25.1 acres (Shared with the District’s Middle School)
Gross Area (sq. ft.)
 51,000
Per Occupant (pupil)
 145 SF/ Pupil
gross/net please indicate
  gross (note: some program for the literacy center is housed in the connected and adjacent Middle School)
Design and Build?
 No
If yes, Total Cost:
Includes:
If no,
Site Development:
 $5,120,000
Building Construction:
 $13,801,500
Fixed Equipment:
 $375,000
Other:
Total:
 $19,296,500

17. The driving vision is displayed at the building entry porch/outdoor classroom.
The Green roof classroom provides an alternative learning environment supporting variety, connection to nature, and environmental stewardship.
The Library takes the place of a lobby and is the first interior space experienced by students and visitors.

18. Play is incorporated into the literacy curriculum via the alphabet walk and carefully selected play equipment.
Rain chains convey stormwater from the roof to a bioswale to provide an educational experience.

19. Transparency is used to blur the lines between interior and exterior educational space to make a strong link with the natural environment allowing natural light and views to the interior spaces.

20. The classroom extends into the single-loaded circulation system to maximize educational utilization. The separation is transparent to allow the teacher to monitor activity. Small group instruction areas are located between classrooms for literacy intervention. They are separated by sliding barn doors.

21. The tree house classroom promotes discovery as students are able to experience the tree canopy overlooking a natural gorge. It also supports differentiated instruction for students who require variety.