McFadden Intermediate School

Award Criteria

Architectural Excellence

Utilizing a design assist project approach allowed the design architect and the modular building design team to collaborate on design considerations during the early in the design process to ensure the modular construction systems selected would support the design intent. The project consists of a single structure which houses four Pre-Kindergarten classrooms. Each classroom contains student restroom facilities, ample classroom equipment storage and an additional storage room for outdoor learning and play equipment. The buildings’ exterior is covered with a mixture of fiber cement siding panels and multi-color vertical metal siding panels to create a striking architectural presence. The building interior features large windows, and clerestory windows, to provide abundant natural light in every educational space. The classrooms utilize a curved roof and ceiling which provide ceilings as high at 14’-0”. The completed project reflects the coordinated efforts of all team members.

Technical Innovation & Sustainability

To meet the project requirements while providing a unique architectural form a project specific module design was utilized. The module widths vary from 10’-0” to 12’-0” and the module lengths vary from 32’-0” to 43’-0”. The curved roof portion of the building utilizes modules that are approximately 16’-0” tall. A light weight concrete floor system was poured the in the factory for all modules. High efficiency LED lights with occupancy sensing controls and automatic daylighting controls were used in all spaces. Manual dimming controls were provided for all classroom lighting to allow the teachers to adjust the light levels for specific learning exercises. Wall assemblies separates classrooms and adjacent spaces were designed to provide acoustic separation for sound mitigation. Low-VOC materials were used throughout the project to provide a healthy learning environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures were used throughout the project. High efficiency space conditioning systems were used.

Cost Effectiveness

To meet the project requirements while providing a unique architectural form a project specific module design was utilized. The module widths vary from 10’-0” to 12’-0” and the module lengths vary from 32’-0” to 43’-0”. The curved roof portion of the building utilizes modules that are approximately 16’-0” tall. A light weight concrete floor system was poured the in the factory for all modules. High efficiency LED lights with occupancy sensing controls and automatic daylighting controls were used in all spaces. Manual dimming controls were provided for all classroom lighting to allow the teachers to adjust the light levels for specific learning exercises. High efficiency space conditioning systems were utilized along with highly insulated assemblies which resulted in a compliance margin of 19% better than California’s stringent energy code.