Blanche Sims Elementary School

Lake Orion, Michigan

Firm

GMB Architecture + Engineering

Client

Lake Orion Community Schools

Area

68,875 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$26,000,000

Completion Date

08/2023

John D’Angelo Photo

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Design team
Jordan Johnson (Project Architect); Mitch Duyser (Project Manager); Tom VanDeGriend (Client Lead)

Blanche Sims Elementary School replaces the oldest elementary building in the district with a modern facility serving students in developmental kindergarten through 5th grade. The school consists of 19 classrooms, a secure entry and office spaces, extended learning spaces throughout the building, a new kitchen with servery, cafeteria with stage, gymnasium, STEM center and media center. The building was designed into grade-level pods with classrooms, interior extended learning areas and covered outdoor learning spaces. An emphasis on integrating indoor and outdoor spaces enables students to easily engage with outdoor learning. One district-wide principle carried out in this project was the inclusion of a dedicated space focused on STEM learning. This center will help students develop their collaborative teamwork skills, problem solving and creativity. Site access and the relationship to the building challenged the project team to think about how visitors and parents approach the building, compared with buses, and how the building and site can respond to each other to achieve a balanced and sensitive design.

Additional Information

Associated Firm

Frank Rewold & Sons (Construction Manager); JRA (Food Service Consultant)

Capacity

500

Cost per Sq Ft

$377.00

Featured in

2024 Architectural Portfolio

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Product suppliers specified

Carpet by Interface

Carpet by Mannington

Carpet by Patcraft

Flooring by Gerflor Sports Flooring

Flooring by Tarkett USA

Flooring by Duraflex

Brick/Masonry by Belden Brick

Brick/Masonry by General Shale

Ceilings by Rulon

Door Hardware by Allegion

Doors by Special-Lite

Doors by Kawneer

Insulation by DuPont

Insulation by Owens Corning

Insulation by International Cellulose

Movable Partitions/Walls by Modernfold

Paint/Wallcoverings by Benjamin Moore

Paint/Wallcoverings by Sherwin-Williams

Roofing by Firestone Building Products

Roofing by ATAS

Skylights by Major Industries

Lighting & Accessories by Axis Lighting

Lighting & Accessories by Metalux

Lighting & Accessories by Portfolio

Lighting & Accessories by Holophane

Emergency Lighting by Sure-Lites

Fire/Life-Safety Systems by National Time & Signal

Security Systems by NAPCO

Locks by Allegion

Card Systems by DSX Access Systems

Hand-Drying Equipment by Excel Dryer

Washroom Accessories by ASI Storage Solutions

Athletic Equipment by Performance Sports Systems (PSS)

Athletic Equipment by Gared Sports

Playground Equipment by Bison

Playground Equipment by Landscape Structures

Clocks/Time Management by Sapling

HVAC Units by Daikin

HVAC Units by Price

HVAC Control Devices by Automated Logic

Whiteboards / Markerboards / Chalkboards by Cig Jan

Wire Management by Legrand

Wire Management by Cablofil

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