Crownpoint Middle School Addition

Elementary Schools | Middle Schools | High Schools | Specialized Educational & Administrative Facilities | K-12 Trends

The award winning design for this middle school addition responded to the design challenges of creating an energy efficient and low maintenance facility to address the remote location of the school that sits high on a mesa, exposed to extreme weather, and isolated from the district maintenance headquarters. 

Security concerns combined with building orientation posed a challenge to achieve natural day-lighting and energy efficiency. The solution was to build roof top light monitors equipped with electronic remote controlled louver/wall glazing assemblies.  This technology created a very effective natural lighting source with daylighting from above. The system allows teachers to control the amount of light manually or an override program could automatically track the sunlight direction and intensity and adjust the louvers to maintain a constant lighting level.  At night the louvers close completely providing insulation and during the off-season months they remain closed, cutting down on the amount of heat gain.  The scoop-like overhangs on the roof monitors block most direct sunlight while reflecting the incidental light from the bright white TPO roof membrane onto the ceilings inside the classrooms.

The reduced heat gain and heat loss from the protected day-lighting system, combined with the highly insulated roof and walls, an insulated and conditioned under-floor crawl space, and an efficient hydronic heating-cooling system culminated in a high performance, low maintenance facility.

This state funded project for 250 students, included renovation of 21,000 square-feet of existing facility including the gymnasium and 18,000 square-feet of new spaces including labs and vocational rooms to bring the school in compliance with state adequacy standards.

Location: Crownpoint, NM