aspen middle school

The Aspen Middle School embraces the School District’s mission statement of; creative classroom learning, the outdoor education experience and environmental stewardship. Its sleek profile minimizes its impact on the surrounding alpine landscape and bows to the majestic views of the Maroon Bells Wilderness. Its proximity to Buttermilk Mountain is ideal and is where the students hone their winter-sports skills. The simple L-shaped plan serves as a bridge between public and educating. The classroom bar is divided from the administrative and ‘specials’ wing by the circulation core and each classroom enjoys abundant natural daylight, operable windows and views. The vocabulary of the building reinforces the vision established by other buildings on the school district’s campus. Regionally manufactured brick, metal panels, translucent walls, and aluminum-framed high-performance glazing sheath the building’s exterior. The articulated entry canopy and adjacent arcade identifies the main entry, while at the same time, provides a safe, visible and protected shelter for student drop-off and pick-up. Window patterns, light louvers and sunshade devices respond to solar orientation, control the effects of the high altitude sun and create a distinctive aesthetic on the exteriors. Wherever possible, sustainable materials such as bamboo, recycled flooring and ceiling tiles are incorporated into the design, casework are formaldehyde free and interior materials use low VOC paints, finishes and adhesives. High efficiency mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems integrate innovative products and techniques such as solar air heating, waterless urinals, occupancy sensors and solar tubes. These strategies have resulted in this being the most energy efficient building on the school campus. Integrating these technologies has yielded a high performance building that reduces almost 1 million pounds of CO2 per year, reduces water usage by 40% and reduces storm water runoff by 25%. The Aspen Middle School received LEED Gold Certification in October 2008 from the US Green Building Council and is the first in the State of Colorado. Studio B as the Design Architect, teamed up with Hutton + Ford Architects of Denver for this project.

2007 completion

studio b architects design architect

hutton + ford architects architect of record
 

2009 aia colorado western chapter merit award, 2008 aia colorado merit award,

2009 colorado sustainable design award, 2008 american school + university magazine citation award, 2007 colorado construction magazine gold hard hat merit award press

time frame images, paul warchol + aspen architectural photography photos

 ge johnson contractor

 redwine engineering structural engineer