Discover: Manassas Park Elementary School

One of the main oppositions that architects must face in each project they work comes due to conflict with the environment. The building of a new structure almost always means that one way or another the environment will be affected. Sometimes hundreds of square miles of trees and plants must be cut down to make way for a new construction. Many people strongly oppose such actions arguing that the deforestation caused by large constructions affect the environment, eventually bringing long term problems such as global warming. Statements as such, in my opinion, can not be held as false or inaccurate since it is quite evident that large constructions affect the environment one way or another, whether it is by cutting down trees to create open spaces for buildings or to provide the large amounts of wood needed for the construction. But, here is where architects can merge creativity with environmental friendly designs. In my opinion, the construction of new buildings is inevitable due to the rapid growth that the country is experiencing as a whole, especially in Northern Virginia, but new designs and ideas will help maintain a balance between construction and the environment. One great example is the Manassas Park Elementary School, in Manassas Park, Virginia.

In 2009, the City of Manassas Park expanded an existing elementary known as Cougar Elementary School to accommodate the growing number of students that attend Manassas Park City Schools. The expansion, although, brought a small obstacle with it; was a small forest located behind the existing school. In order to build the two proposed buildings, the small forest, known as Camp Carondelet, had to be removed. But, the architects of the project decided to merge both the buildings and the camp to create an environmentally friendly building with a nature theme.

The buildings feature large open spaces outside where kids can not only enjoy an relax but also take part in nature by plating trees. The proximity to the forest also creates a rich environment that changes of color based on the seasons. This change of scenery is brought inside the building by the use of large window walls that allows the natural light to come and allows the people inside to have an almost-outside feeling. The large windows also helps stay illuminated with out the need of electrical lighting. The also helps educate the students, grade k-5, on how to help the environment. In each rooms there are indicators that tell the students when they can open the windows in order to allow natural ventilation. When these windows are opened, the mechanical system in the room is turned off and natural convection currents circulate fresh throughout the room.

There are many other features that this building has incorporated that truly shows how new ideas and designs are being developed to help aid the negative effects of new constructions. This shows that innovation and progression in architecture is the key to a better future both for the urban world and the environment.

Sources:
http://www.vmdo.com/docs/Manassas_Park_case_study_1.pdf