San Jose Elementary School is located in Albuquerque’s South Valley in the heart of a culturally historic neighborhood. The original buildings on the site were a composite of additions and alterations from 1960 to 1998 and constructed in a variety of architectural styles with little anticipation of future growth on the site.
The 2008 renovation and expansion designed by Wright and Hammer Architects of the Administration Area including a Community-based Health Clinic, Cafeteria Kitchen, and the 1960 Classrooms incorporated a contemporary use of traditional South Broadway metal roofing and siding contrasted by bright colors to recognize the special character of the community. The design also created a series of overlapping forms and spaces, and the weaving of existing brick materials and diagonal details throughout the project to meld the new architecture with the old classroom building. Playful elements designed into the Lobby include a Toy Block Bench in the Community-based Health Clinic and a spiraling wood Snake Bench in the Administration Lobby. An existing beam that bisected a large skylight in the new design was deemed by the Design Team to be too expensive to remove and instead became an inexpensive celebrated feature – the train (made by the Architect) and trestle with kites that fly through the space to add a splash of exuberant fun. |
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