location
388 Tank Hill Road
Sophia, WV 25921
size
61,405 SF
completion
August 2018
cost
$14.2 Million
awards
2020 AIA Merit Award, West Virginia Chapter: Achievement in Architecture in Sustainable Design

Ridgeview Elementary School is a 560-student capacity building. The school contains 24 classrooms, support spaces, and an autism and special education suite. Through the use of L-shaped classrooms, teachers can configure the spaces to meet the needs of their students. These spaces create environments for different learning styles and collaborations.

The school is equipped with a STEAM Lab that will house the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics classes. Here, students can research and create not only in single discipline classes, but across disciplines to allow for more experiential and retainable learning. A drop area is located on the second floor for gravity experiments and other investigations. An outdoor classroom is placed adjacent to the STEAM Lab for outside learning experiences.

This is a zero-energy building, meaning that it can produce more net energy than it uses if additional solar panels are added. This is the first zero-energy school and building in West Virginia. To achieve this, the design team utilized an exterior wall system of insulated concrete forms that substantially increases the thermal mass and airtightness of the exterior. We also utilized a geothermal system for the HVAC and used LED lighting for the entire project. The last major component utilized to achieve this goal is the use of solar panels on the roof and ancillary structures of the project. These elements combined provide a zero-energy building at a cost similar to a conventionally-designed building.

The school has a gym to seat 500 spectators for sport activities and performances. The cafeteria is located on the opposite side of the platform and can also be used for more intimate performances. The building contains a secure entrance with a man-trap during school hours and limited access to the public after hours.

location
388 Tank Hill Road
Sophia, WV 25921
size
61,405 SF
completion
August 2018
cost
$14.2 Million
awards
2020 AIA Merit Award, West Virginia Chapter: Achievement in Architecture in Sustainable Design