1. Westside Elementary School
2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
Westside Elementary School
Location: Cedar Park, Texas
Category of Entry: New Construction
Award Type: Elementary School
Firm Name: O’Connell Robertson

2. Westside Elementary School

3. Exterior Walkway Community Environment: Narrative
The entire District, with representatives from the community, leadership, administration, curriculum and teaching staff was engaged in the planning process for this new prototypical school through focus groups, planning sessions and design charrettes, creating a sense of ownership and ensuring enthusiasm for the facility.

4. Library Community Environment: continued
The planning process utilized a wide array of community resources, including representatives from the neighborhood, community, and local business partners.
The design solution supports a high level of community use. A key feature of the plan is a dedicated Parent Workroom, a hub of activity on a daily basis.
Located in a brand new neighborhood, the school serves as a focal point and center of activity.

5. Small Reading Group Learning Environment: Narrative
Innovation best describes the project, both in the learning process between students and teachers as well as in the learning environment. The District led the charge in redefining elementary education. Leander ISD’s focus on students and learning led the Design Team down a path toward creating spaces designed around flexibility; each class has the opportunity to gather both in traditional arrangements as well as small and multi-class groups.

6. Cluster of Classrooms Learning Environment: Continued
The design responds to key instructional concepts established by the Administration and Board, such as: Flexibility
Provides and encourages a wide variety of learning settings and learning strategies (i.e., individual, team, small group, large group, formal, informal, community) and flexibility and ease of adaptation in learning settings.
Hands-on Learning
Supports hands-on learning through curriculum, classroom size and configuration, furnishings and equipment, and group learning areas, both indoor and outdoor.
Small Learning Communities
Westside Elementary supports small learning communities through the 800 student maximum enrollment and amenities provided “clustering of classrooms.”
Fingertip Access
Resources, materials, staff, and specialized learning spaces are provided at the learners’ and teachers’ “fingertips”. The learning plan and supporting materials and facilities are designed to provide for a “learning on demand” setting.

7. Neighborhood Physical Environment – Narrative Neighborhood Concept
Uses
Extension of Classroom
Small & Large group Instruction
Projects & Centers
Tutoring
Exploration
Science
Collaborative Planning
Independent Work
Features
Lighting and Day-lighting
Finishes
Scale

8. Transparency Physical Environment – Continued Transparency
Inside connected to Outside
Shared Spaces Transparent to Classrooms
Classrooms Transparent to Support Spaces
Flexible Age Appropriate Furniture
Nurturing Atmosphere
Small & Large group Instruction
Learning Centers
Exploration
Access to Water

9. Design Charrette Planning Process:
Voters in the Leander Independent School District approved a bond in May, 2006 which included funds for eight new elementary schools. Leander ISD is one of the fastest growing districts in Texas, serving over 24,000 students.
In the interest of improving education and support for students, teachers and the community, the District decided to update the elementary school prototype to better reflect the District’s goals and learning model. While Leander’s current elementary school prototype had served the District well for many years, the board decided that an updated design was needed to support current trends in educational delivery.

10. Family Atmosphere Planning Process: Continued
The District wanted the plan to be flexible with a family-like nurturing atmosphere for the students. The Elementary Steering Committee, made up of board members, administrators, principals, community members, parents and architects and planners, embarked on a multi-phase elementary redesign.
The process included staff interviews, site visits at existing Leander schools, tours of exemplary school designs nationally and concentrated design charrettes and planning sessions.
The resulting Westside Elementary School design establishes the new "elementary facility prototype" for all future schools in Leander ISD.

11. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data
Submitting Firm :
O’Connell Robertson
Project Role
Prime Firm
Project Contact
Richard Burnight, AIA
Title
Principal
Address
811 Barton Springs Road, Suite 900
City, State or Province, Country
Austin, Texas
Phone
Joint Partner Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Other Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Construction Firm:
American Constructors, LP
Project Role
General Contractor
Project Contact
Jason Snider
Title
Address
4330 S. Mopac Expressway, Suite 230
City, State or Province, Country
Austin, Texas
Phone

12. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details
Project Name
 Westside Elementary School
City
 Cedar Park
State
 Texas
District Name
 Leander Independent School District
Supt/President
 Bret A. Champion, Ed.D.
Occupancy Date
 Fall 2008
Grades Housed
 pre-K – 5th
Capacity(Students)
 800
Site Size (acres)
 --
Gross Area (sq. ft.)
 108,000 SF
Per Occupant(pupil)
 135 SF
gross/net please indicate
 gross
Design and Build?
 No
If yes, Total Cost:
Includes:
If no,
Site Development:
 $363,000
Building Construction:
 $18,198,555
Fixed Equipment:
Other:
Total:
 $18,561,555

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17. Supporting/Supplemental files/Images