Following a series of meetings with the staff of the Brookings School District and a comprehensive analysis of Hillcrest Elementary, it was determined that the existing facility could no longer adequately support the district’s future needs and was therefore slated for full demolition.
The new Hillcrest Elementary was designed to compliment the surrounding, long-established, neighborhood. Gentle features were used to allow it to coexist with the surrounding homes and the adjacent city park. Homage was paid to the neighboring Hillcrest Park, by mimicking it's natural features within the library. Hillcrest provides a new gymnasium, early childhood center, library, and four classroom wings with specialty classrooms such as music, art, special education, and speech to serve the needs of the student body.
A key challenge addressed during the project was maintaining uninterrupted school operations throughout the academy year while new construction occurred on the same site. This required meticulous planning and phased implementation. After the school year ended, the existing building was demolished, and site improvements were completed over the summer.
The projects were delivered using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) method, which facilitated smooth coordination and execution. The new buildings feature a series of Learning Centers surrounded by classrooms, providing flexible and collaborative learning environments. Clerestory windows bring natural light into the interior, enhancing the overall educational experience.
