Kingsolver-Pierce Elementary School Design, Fort Knox, KY

When USACE Norfolk needed a new, updated elementary school, they called on RS&H to lead a design charrette, be the designer of record, and provide construction administration services for the project.

Kingsolver Elementary School is located within historic Fort Knox. The school was designed to complement the nearby 1930s Georgian Colonial Revival style, multi-story, red brick buildings. Keeping with architectural compatibility, visual design elements were used such as the use of local “Fort Knox Red” brick, clearly defined entrances, symmetrical windows and doors, prefinished white trim to mimic painted wood, and modern window and door fenestration compatible with the historical context.

21st Century education principles were integrated throughout the school, including commons, neighborhoods with hubs, learning studios, student commons with portable stage and audio/visual, outdoor classrooms, dining area, state-of-the-art kitchen and food preparation technology, administrative areas, modern communications technology, and associated spaces for a fully functional school.

The facility was designed as a LEED for Schools Silver and is a Net-Zero achievable facility.  Energy reduction initiatives included:

• Geothermal Heat Pump HVAC
• Solar Water Heating
• Insulated Concrete Form and brick veneer exterior wall system with air barrier
• Insulated glass units with low-e coating
• High-efficiency plumbing fixtures
• Daylighting and lighting controls
• LED lighting
• Commissioning of the building systems
• Proper solar orientation
• Compact floor plan
• Large volume spaces located in the center of the building
• Neighborhood spatial orientation to maximize daylight harvesting

A whole building energy analysis was performed comparing the new school to a baseline school. The result was an energy savings of 49 percent.