MEP Services: We provided electrical engineering services for the sustainability-focused design/build project.
Category: Education, K - 12
Swigert students are asked to “create a better and more peaceful world.” To help them focus on this important mission, we provided design and assisted with electrical engineering services for the sustainability-focused, new 103,000 square foot E-8 DPS Stapleton 3 School. The school will support up to 950 students in 40 classrooms and 5 multi-purpose spaces. Design intent and scope included electrical, lighting, CATV, clock/bell, data, fire alarm, sound amplification, the security and telephone and paging systems.
Design meets LEED, Xcel Rebate and security requirements
We designed the school to meet LEED Certification requirements, Xcel Rebate requirements, and flexibility for use as a 6-12 or specialized program school to allow for future alignments with the needs of the growing community. The site included two drop off parking lots, a maintenance lot, site signage with rough-in for future data capabilities, and rough-ins for future field scoreboards. We planned the site lighting to integrate both pedestrian and building lighting and to meet the Denver Public School District security requirements. The requirements mandate ample lighting for the site’s security cameras and request design complement the surrounding community and learning environments.
Multipurpose, multi-media space serves all ages
We designed the east, single-story wing for Early Child Education and Kindergarten areas, while the three-story wing to the west was planned to accommodate first through eighth grade educational areas—including two science classrooms on the second floor and special education rooms. Each classroom and multi-purpose space in both areas included enhanced audio, wired networking, wireless networking and promethean board systems.
Versatile lighting and electrical solutions conserve resources and add drama
We designed several areas to be shared by both wings of the school: the music room, the art room including a kiln, gymnasium with associated locker rooms, “cafetorium” with a removable stage and a media center. The media center included: a secured computer lab, wired and wireless access for computer stations and a stage with motorized curtains enabling black out conditions for performances.
Growing students flourish in natural light. So, we designed the classroom lighting to integrate economical daylight harvesting. Envisioning future theater performances peopled by eager little thespians, we designed the stage and seating area with dimmable can lighting and included rough-ins for future stage lighting and standing speakers systems. We included ceiling-mounted zoned speakers with a connection point for a rolling cart to provide microphone and sound systems in the gymnasium and “cafetorium.”
Both areas also incorporated 6-lamp high bay fluorescent fixtures, allowing the space to be lit at varying levels depending on the use.
Unfortunately, today’s schools must think ahead and provide the very best in electronic security systems to ensure students’ safety. Along with site security lighting and cameras, we designed the buildings’ security system to include interior cameras, card reader access, a motion detection system with integrated door contacts and the capabilities for interior camera police surveillance from the parking lot.
According to the Building Owners and Managers Association International, “Class A” buildings are the “most prestigious buildings competing for premier office users with rents above average for the area. Buildings have high quality standard finishes, state of the art systems, exceptional accessibility and a definite market presence.
The LEED System is designed to rate new and existing commercial, environmental, institutional and high-rise residential buildings for environmental performance from a “whole building” perspective over a building’s lifecycle.
