Location: Norfolk, VA
The new three-story Southside STEM Academy was completed as part of a PPEA with S.B. Ballard Construction Company and was designed with Waller, Todd & Sadler Architects and The Livas Group. The new facility replaced Campostella Elementary School and houses 1,147 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. The design is organized around the STEM school concept. Each grade level is broken down into a grade level house consisting of learning studios, flexible classrooms, small group breakout spaces, STEM activity area and teacher workrooms.
Many sustainable concepts are incorporated into the design of this facility. The building was oriented to maximize efficiency and sun exposure, which allows for the successful utilization of daylight harvesting. Other sustainable features include solar preheating of hot water and a high-energy efficient HVAC system. The implementation of a web-based monitoring software allows occupants to interact and learn from the building’s sustainable design features.
