Waynesville East Elementary School Renovations

Posted By bsapp – Feb 28 | 2011

The Waynesville East Elementary School project was very unique and challenging, like most of SDA school projects. This existing K-2 elementary school was a victim of multiple additions by various architects, resulting in a overall school layout that was fraught with spatial organizational problems.

These are the worst kinds of problems because as devoted as the staff and administration are, their effectiveness is lessen by poor spatial relationship. In this case, one side of the school (the kindergarten), could not physically go to the other side of the building (the first/second grade wing) without passing through the always crowded multipurpose cafeteria/auditorium space.

Over the years, to compensate for this spatial challenge, the administration functions were split up. A main office for the principal was located at a poorly marked “main” entry at the first/second grade side of the building, and another redundant administration office for the assistant principal was located at the kindergarten side near another minor front entrance to the building. When a visitor would drive up to the front of the building, there were numerous entrance, leaving little visual queue on where to enter and check-in. Along with this internal dysfunction, there were problems with the front visitor/bus parking lot. This is where over 50 buses in three shifts arrived each day to drop off and pick up the kids.

SDA fixed all of these problems. First, we designed addition at the front of the building that housed ONE main administration suite, ONE well-marked secured main entrance with high visibility of the bus/parking lot and all of the new corridors leading to various areas of the building. Secondly, we expanded the front bus/visitor parking lot to accommodate visitors and buses who are now able to co-exist.

To top this challenging project off, we will do all of this work during the summer vacation of 2011. Now that’s great planning!!!

Nixa Adopt-a-Class: Climate

Posted By bsapp – Feb 9 | 2011

Nixa Adopt-a-Class: Climate
On Thursday, February 10^th, Eric Street and Bonnie Crawford met with Ms. Fairchild’s 6^th grade class at Summit Elementary School in Nixa to instruct on the topic of “Climate.” They discussed the temperate climate of southwest Missouri and how residents can use the natural light, native plantings, and cool breezes to passively light, heat, cool, and ventilate the built environment. This was part of an ongoing lesson plan to improve students’ understanding of what it means to be “Green.”

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY to Kent Sanders!

Posted By bsapp – Dec 8 | 2010

In a 50th birthday tradition Kent, receives a SDA desk remodel.

Donald W. Reynolds Library

Posted By bsapp – Oct 9 | 2010

SDA and the administration of the Baxter County Library worked collaboratively through the planning process for a new library facility from 2001 thru 2007. These efforts were rewarded in January, 2008, when the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation (DWRF) awarded a $9.8 million grant to build and furnish a new 35,500 square foot, two-story library located in Mountain Home Arkansas.

On October 9, 2010 the Donald W. Reynolds Library was dedicated to the residents of Baxter County and the surrounding area. The new state-of-the-art facility includes expanded areas for children and teens, study rooms, comfortable reading areas, several public access computers, a coffee shop, gift shop, a local history and genealogy room, and well equipped community meeting rooms.

While LEED Certification was not pursued, the facility incorporates many sustainable features such as a geothermal heating and cooling system, a high performance building envelope, and a rain water collection system for landscaping irrigation.

Congratulations to the Baxter County Library for all of their persistence and hard work in making their vision become a reality. If you’re ever in the Mountain Home area you definitely need to stop by and see this incredible state-of-the-art facility.

Monett Elementary Ground Breaking

Posted By bsapp – Jun 23 | 2010

Ground-breakingOn Wednesday, June 23 the Monett R-1 School District celebrated the start of construction of the Additions and Alterations to their Elementary School with the Groundbreaking Ceremony. The District Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal, past and present school board members, and the elementary summer school students and teachers were on hand for a photo opportunity and a chance to turn some dirt at the location of the future Commons Area and Administration Suite. They were joined by members of SDA Architects, who worked closely with the Board of Education, faculty, and staff to design the school additions, which will join three of the nine existing campus buildings under one roof. The Project Manager and on-site Superintendent from R. E. Smith Construction were also present and ready to begin demolition and construction.

Carl Junction Community Center Update

Posted By bsapp – Jun 19 | 2010

Well, we are almost there . . . . Construction on the Carl Junction Community Center is almost complete and it is looking great! It even has that great new building smell! All of the flooring is down, the carpet and the resilient flooring all look great. One of the most impressive elements is a curve that meanders throughout the entire building consisting of different flooring materials depending on where in the building it is. The curve even makes its way out of the building and is incorporated in the planter outside.

The furniture is in! The senior center, city hall and the recreation lounge area have all received new furniture this week, and it looks great, everybody will definitely be sitting in style. One of the concepts behind this building was being environmentally friendly, here at SDA we are very pleased at how bright the building stays during the day. Both the clerestory windows in the Lobby and Senior Center allow an abundant amount of light to flood the spaces and keep everything bright without using all of the lights. Also, the offices within the city hall have light shelves. These shelves allow light to reflect back upwards and fill the office with ambient light. They work great and also keep the offices bright. This is truly a one of a kind community center and we are very excited for the citizens of Carl Junction to be using this building. If you have not been by yet make a trip out to the center, you will be glad you did!

2010 AIA Design Awards

Posted By bsapp – May 4 | 2010

On May 5, 2010 Sapp Design Associates Architects, PC was presented with a total 7 of the 14 American Institute of Architects (AIA) design Awards given at the AIA Springfield’s awards reception. Each project was judged by both a Public and a Professional jury. Sapp Design is very grateful for its 6 Public Recognition Awards 2 of which were given the most prestigious award of, ”Special Honor Award” for our work on Ralph.M.Riggs Hall located at Evangel University and the Midwest Genealogy Center located in Independence, Mo. What excites SDA about each of these recognition awards is the fact that these designs were created for publicly funded projects with very conservative budgets. Receiving this recognition is a real Honor and a testament to our design philosophy of creating designs that are “Great Places timeless in design”. SDA is also honored to receive a Professional Recognition Merit Award for the Waynesville Career Center located in Waynesville, Mo. Thank you to the juries for all their gracious commits and a very special thanks to our clients, because great projects can’t happen without great Clients!

SDA Attends Clever Career Fair

Posted By bsapp – Apr 6 | 2010

The career fair at Clever consisted of 7th – 12th grades. 9th and 11th grades were brought in for 30 minutes and were allowed to talk with the business or trade of their choice. All of the students were required to complete a handout and had to ask questions of the attendees on a one-on-one basis in order to receive credit. The setting was very similar to a tradeshow in that students who were interested in construction or architecture came by our “booth” to find out more. SDA can be proud of the fact that we were one of the most popular booths attended. The kids asked great questions and sincerely demonstrated an interest in architecture and construction. In addition, after attending multiple educational and outreach formats, this was one of the most successful methods of engaging the students.

A Review of Green Topics with 6th Graders

Posted By bsapp – Mar 1 | 2010

This classroom collaboration was initiated by Michael Sapp of Sapp Design Associates Architects at the beginning of the school year. He asked the District if they could visit a classroom each month and enhance their science curriculum with lessons on environmental design. The goal was to assist students in becoming knowledgeable about environmental issues and to teach simple actions that all citizens can take to protect our natural resources for future generations.

This spring, SDA staff continues to visit with Julie Karlson’s sixth grade science class at Inman Elementary School in Nixa, MO to review “Green Topics”. In the first three lessons, we discussed “green” terminology, the meaning of sustainability, solar and climate information, as well as the basic building elements and the role they play in providing shelter from harsh climate while also utilizing good climate. With all of this information, the last two lessons will be focused on pulling together a simple house plan and applying what they have learned about climate and environmental forces to the design.

At our fourth session last week, students were given a class assignment to design their dream “green” home. This session was presented by Steve Telscher and John McNabb. The kids are terrific and quite knowledgeable about environmental issues. They are having a great time designing like an architect. Next month, their house designs will be displayed and each student will discuss the “green” elements if their design

John M. McNabb – Now Licensed Architect

Posted By bsapp – Feb 6 | 2010

Sapp Design Associates Architects, P.C. is very pleased to announce that John M. McNabb has recently completed and passed his registration exams and received a Missouri Architectural License. Mr. McNabb joined SDA Architects in June 2004 and is a past graduate of Drury University. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects. Mr. McNabb has served on the design team for many of the firm’s significant projects including Additions & Renovations to Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (under construction) located in Springfield, Missouri. His areas of expertise includes programming, project management and construction administration services. Areas of professional expertise include project disciplines in educational, religious, municipal and commercial facilities.