Bells Ferry Elementary School – Addition and Renovation

Created in the 1960’s, Bells Ferry’s mission for their school “is to establish and maintain a positive and safe learning environment that promotes maximum educational, social, physical and emotional growth for every student.” To uphold their mission, J. W. Robinson & Associates, Inc. provided a design solution that increased the surveillance for their school while providing additional classroom, administrative, clinic and Food Services Area. The renovation and addition of Bells Ferry was completed in four phases:

• Phase one: Initial Site work
• Phase two: Classroom addition
• Phase three: Remodel and addition of Administration and Food Services
• Phase four: Existing Building renovations
• Phase five: Complete Site work

Phase one of the scope of work involved modifications to the existing parking and playground areas. With the increased FTE, Phase two focused on the addition of 20,331 SF of new classroom space. The unique exterior windows utilized wall space for marker boards, tack boards and other classroom accessories. All interior classroom doors featured large areas of glass for observation to the learning environment. The classroom wing was placed at the end of the fifth grade hall so the students would not have to cross the parking lot to access the cafeteria. Phase three addressed increasing the visual access and space of the Administration and Food Services. Visual access from the Main Office was blocked by parked buses. The Administrative Staff needed to be consolidated into one Administrative Suite. The owner also wanted to maintain visibility of the existing Courtyard Area which featured a gazebo from the Main Entrance. By creating a visually pleasing 2,203 s.f. open space with storefront glass across from the main entrance allowed visibility of visitors entering the building and the Courtyard Area. An additional 912 s.f. was added to the existing Food Services Area. Phase four addressed renovating the existing 85,000 SF facility which included modifications and/or replacement of ceilings, finishes, classroom accessories, clinic and restrooms areas. Additional parking spaces for staff and a new play area was added in Phase one and five. By adding these additions and renovations, we created a “positive and safe learning environment” for Bells Ferry’s staff and students.