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Master Planning To Project Planning

Posted By Sapp Design – Mar 16 | 2018

Over the last year, Sapp Design has been excited to have been contracted by School of the Osage (SOTO) to develop a District Master Plan that would address the need of their 2,000 students and includes both of their campuses, four of their existing buildings, and all of their properties. The purpose of the plan was to evaluate the current utilization of educational spaces and campus layouts, taking into consideration projected future changes in enrolment. The plan was also intended to evaluate the existing conditions of the facilities.

The primary objective of this master plan was to determine the most educationally-effective and resource-efficient way to accommodate the students, teachers, and administrators of this facility. The process was focused on that goal throughout.

The process was initiated with a study of the demographic nature of the Community and District. Analysis of the facilities was also conducted to promote a safe, secure and comfortable environment for all involved. Growth was projected, program needs were assessed, and planning schemes were developed and coupled with funding options in order to achieve a logical and affordable planning solution.

Several alternative directions were developed. From these, Sapp Design, the School of the Osage School Board and Facility Planning Committee – with input and direction from community, faculty, and students – determined the most effective scenario.

The final Master Plan is a culmination of months of research, analysis, and planning evaluations. The Master Plan uses the findings from previous scenarios to create a ten-year plan allowing for flexibility in balancing the needs of the School District. One of the most important aspects of a Master Plan is the flexibility it provides. This plan can be modified beyond the ten-year period to coordinate with the School District’s funding.

Flexibility
In anticipation of the growing momentum toward “Next Gen Learning Environments,” as well as the fluctuations in enrolment experienced by the School of the Osage, flexibility has been a continuous factor in determining the longevity and multi-functionality of existing spaces. The objective to provide and maintain a level of flexibility in all of the existing and planned facilities has been influential in our recommendation for the Master Plan.

“Grow” into the Building
The Master Plan assessment assumes that there may be fluctuation in enrolment, as well as changes in educational methods and course content throughout the next ten years that may not be accounted for in today’s educational environment. These considerations indicate that the buildings should account for more than minimum standards. It is important during the master planning process to account for these considerations by recommending a solution that will allow School of the Osage to “grow” into their buildings instead of meeting a minimum standard with little room for growth or flexibility.

Final Recommendations 

The Master Plan Final Recommendations revealed the need for over 30 projects ranging from small renovations to major building additions to new facilities. The majority of these projects are managed to strategically time construction work and completion dates during summer months. In addition, the projects are sequenced to complete facilities and allow for the existing buildings to remain occupied during construction with minimal disruption.

The scope of projects includes major renovations to the High School Performing Arts areas, a new Technology and Arts addition – including an integrated STEM lab; athletic improvements, an overall campus design including a new Field House, and a new Concessions buildings. Also included are interior renovations, field improvements, civil improvements, electric service replacements, ADA upgrades, Safety and Security measures, and a new Early Childhood Center / Daycare facility.

 

Presenting At EdSpaces

Posted By bsapp – Oct 29 | 2017

This year Sapp Design was proud to present “Next Gen Education” at Ed Spaces 2017 National Conference to a crowd of dedicated educations, designers, independent manufacturers, and corporations. Our presentation focused on the science of learning, the impact of technology on education, potential partnerships in education, and review ed trends in the design of Next Generation Schools from Pre-K to 12th grade. We even showed off the new Springfield Public Schools Sherwood Elementary and their partnership with the Boys and Girls Club and talk about how is low energy design is performing in the top 5% of all schools in the United States according to Energy Star stats.

EDspaces is the premier event for the educational facilities marketplace to learn about trends and experience the latest products and services to enhance student learning.

Education leadership will join together to explore leadership challenges, strengthen skills, and build networks at ED spaces. This year speaker line up was people who advocate passionately about the power of education to equalize, uplift, and motivate. The conference also offered various breakout sessions throughout the day. Attendees choose areas of focus and then had the opportunity to dive deeper into issues we face as we work to transform education so all students have the chance to succeed. this conference was designed to encourage networking and give participants a chance to forge lifelong professional connections throughout the education sector and experience new product innovations.

New Round FEMA Funding!

Posted By bsapp – Jul 6 | 2017 

POTENTIAL NEW ROUND OF FEMA GRANTS!!

The State of Missouri Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is soliciting Hazard Mitigation Project Proposals. Your District may have received a letter from SEMA regarding requests for Notice of Interest for DR-4317 disaster declaration.
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM:

Through the Hazardous Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Fema Funding for Safe Rooms can cover up to 75% of the cost for constructing a facility that will provide near absolute protection during an EF-5 Tornado.

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT YOU?

Our Team of Safe Room Experts is ready to help your district take the first step in pursuing a FEMA Safe Room Grant by submitting your Notice of Interest or NOI to FEMA/SEMA. Call us for an initial consultation and NOI Submission at NO COST to you. We are happy to explain the process of submitting for a safe room grant.

THERE HAS TO BE A CATCH!

Nope no catch! Our Team is dedicated to assisting Districts and Communities across the State to provide Safe Refuge for our Children and Residents with FEMA 361 Safe Room Facilities. This specialized experience has armed our Team with the tools to successfully lead clients through all aspects of this Grant Program. We have the knowledge to help clients maximize their funds and administer their grant with ease.

Our Team is more than Safe Room Experts, with 30 years of educational planning experience we can assist your District not only in pursuing a grant, but help identify the best secondary use for a new safe room that is thoughtfully programmed into your current or new facilities.


Classrooms | Auditoriums | Gymnasiums | Cafeterias | Libraries | Performing Arts Centers | Band Rooms | Locker Rooms | Multi-Purpose Rooms | Early Childhood Centers
EXPERIENCED TEAM

Collectively our Team has over 130 Safe Rooms Built, under Construction or in process and our expertise as one of the leading Teams in the State on Safe Rooms can make building a safe room at your campus a simple process. Sapp Design has been a regular presenter on safe rooms at Missouri Safe Schools and MSBA over the last several years. Many districts are not aware that the new 2015 International Building Code (IBC) requires all Educational Facilities to provide a safe room designed to ICC 500 standards in any new additions or new construction to protect students and staff. A safe room grant can not only help protect your children, but help districts comply with new model building codes for any of your future expansions.

SERVICES

In addition to our expertise with Safe Rooms some of the services we can bring to your District are Master Planning, Capital Improvements, New Facilities, Renovations/Additions, Capital Campaigns, Safety and Security Enhancements, Energy Assessments and a variety of other services serving School Districts.

Opening Joplin New Public Library

Posted By bsapp – May 30 | 2017

 

Joplin Celebrates Opening of New Public Library

JOPLIN – As a testament to Joplin’s continued resiliency after the community was devastated by an EF5 tornado in 2011, residents will celebrate the grand opening of Joplin’s new public library with a celebration on June 3.

The new library is not just a symbol for the city’s rebirth, it’s also a cultural center and catalyst for economic development at the “center of it all” with spaces indoors and out to gather, imagine, explore, learn, and be entertained. Sapp Design Associates Architects of Springfield, Missouri and OPN Architects of Cedar Rapids Iowa collaborated on the design of the new library.

The Architectural planners collaborated extensively with as many as 23 different Joplin user groups by leading community focus sessions, surveys and panel discussions from leading library directors across the United States to develop a design that fulfilled its goal for the library to be used in new and unimagined ways. The result was a size increase from 35,000 sf to 57,800 sf to provide room for expanded services and community flex space that promotes the concept of a Next Generation Library.

Starting with an exciting and playful modern exterior the design prompts a retail-like transparency into the building’s interior showcasing various activities happening inside. Along the well-traveled 20th street, the building takes on a sweeping, elegant form consisting of a community storm shelter bordered by light and airy roof forms reminiscent of butterfly wings.  The gently sloping roof planes appear to float as they are supported by an intricate array of steel framework. The storm shelter, however, is given a sense of permanence, clad in a textured armor of aluminum plate panels.

From the parking lot, a warm, wood lined canopy extends out to welcome patrons. The structure, left exposed, frames the entrance pathway and continues into the lobby. The entrance lobby marks the transition from the exterior and is accented by a linear skylight that permits cascading, natural light down the west wall. A shortened ceiling separates the entrance lobby from the open concourse and enhances the experience of movement toward the inviting, open common space.

The interior design includes a large central lobby that serves as community gathering space. On each side of this lobby are exterior courtyards, one enclosed and the other open to the public with an adjacent outdoor learning classroom and sculpture lawn. Inside, a community room also serves as a storm shelter and other centrally located meeting and community spaces fulfill the city’s collective goal for the library to be a community hub.

Radiating off the lobby are the collection spaces, each under a dynamic sloping roof form that lifts up at the edges of the building to create tall volumes with terrific views and daylight, serving to connect the interior to the exterior and the library to the city of Joplin.

The makerspace houses a 3D printer, lasers for etching, engraving, and cutting, as well as equipment for digital media conversion. A Lego wall encourages budding engineers. The children’s area is interactive in other ways, too, with a mural reflecting favorite children’s titles. Modern décor in the Post Library complements what will be a rotating art gallery leading to a meeting room for up to 200 people, which can be booked online.

The Joplin Public Library was honored for excellence in architectural design with a Public Design Award at the biennial Springfield AIA reception and design awards program in May 2016. Projects are judged by a jury of architectural professionals and a separate public jury consisting of a group of community leaders, arts professionals, and local academics.

ABOUT SAPP DESIGN ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS

Sapp Design Associates Architects is a Springfield, Missouri based Architecture firm with more than 30 years of experience designing award-winning public buildings across the Midwest. The Firm’s work encompasses Public Libraries, K-12 Education, Higher Education, Recreation, Civic, and Corporate projects. To learn more about Sapp Design Associate Architects, visit www.sdaarchitects.com. .

 

Searcy Public Library

Posted By bsapp – Mar 18 | 2017

In December of 2016, Sapp Design and Stocks-Mann Architects were charged with designing a new civic landmark and community library for Searcy, Arkansas, to be the flagship library for the White County Public Library system. The vision and the parameters for the new library were established through a 12 month strategic planning process that the library conducted separately during 2016. The City donated the site (a former public swimming pool site) near a main business route. The new design, if approved by voters, will provide 21st century services for many years to come, and provides flexibility to changing venues, and provides for future expansion as well. The architecture of the new library, which was driven by stakeholder input, is based on a traditional and conservative styling, with a focus on natural materials; and yet modern and relevant for many years to come

30,000 Safe Nights!

Posted By bsapp – Feb 10 | 2017

Harmony House – Domestic Violence Shelter Opens

Harmony House of Springfield Missouri provided safe emergency housing to families escaping domestic violence. The shelter provides, case management and advocacy to more than 700 women and children. Their mission is to help women break the cycle of domestic violence and live live free from abuse.

What started as an old three level hotel was drastically renovated to become a new domestic violence shelter for 160 people. The old shelter is more than 100 years old and had a capacity of only 100 beds. The new Harmony House features 160 beds and larger rooms that can sleep up to 4 people and have private bathrooms.This increased capacity equates to 30,000 safe nights of sleep. One of the new key features is a medical exam room overseen by Mercy Hospital nurses who will provide basic medical attention. The new space has conference areas, child care rooms, and a commercial kitchen.

   

Scenic Regional Libraries

Posted By bsapp – Jan 16 | 2017

Scenic Regional Library approved a two- year $12.8 Million plan to replace and/or upgrade seven branch libraries, covering three rural counties just west of St. Louis. JEMA Architects, a local St Louis architecture firm, teamed with Sapp Design for our extensive library planning and design experience. As the Design Architect of Record our team worked with the various communities and with the Library Director, Steve Campbell, to create new landmark Libraries, each one being unique to their community while at the same time having a consistent “brand” or image throughout the library district.

Phase I of the plan involves seven of the nine branch locations: All of the new and upgraded branches will have designated areas for Teens and Children, and quiet Adult reading areas, new study rooms, meeting room space, outdoor space, and a drive up book drop.  The goal is to provide improved services and amenities, and opportunities.  The Libraries of this new century are as much a Community Center as they are Media and Information Centers.

Owensville’s new branch will be built on a 1.0 acre site that is a portion of the former Owensville Elementary School 3-5 Center property. This new branch will replace the current 2,500 square feet; the new facility will be approximately 6,100 square feet.

New Haven’s new 4,500 sf branch will be built on a 1.5-acre site donated to the library by long-time resident Agnes Meyer.

Pacific’s, new 10,000 sf facility will replace the current 4,100 branch and will be built on the corner of Rose Lane and Lamar Parkway.

Sullivan’s new 9800 sf branch will be built on Cumberland Way.

Warrenton’s, the library will expand the existing 9000 sf building to 12,000 sf on an adjacent .5 acre lot.

Earth Day 2016

Posted By bsapp – Apr 25 | 2016

Earth Day 2016

For Earth Day 2016 the Sapp Design Team celebrated in two ways to promote and raise awareness to environmental issues.  To start off the the day we opened Springfield’s new Clean Water Operations Center! This new 12,000 sf center promotes environmentally friendly building practices with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Level of LEED Silver. The the highlights of this facility are its 2,900 gallon cistern, rain gardens and lot of natural light on the buildings interior.

Later in the day, we were off to do some trash clean up around Springfield Lake and below the dam along the river. Our team had a great time and even got to see some of our local wildlife…..Snakes!

Not 1 but 2!

Posted By bsapp – Dec 29 | 2015

Special Citations for Outstanding Educational Design

Getting recognized on a national level for excellence in educational design is humbling and rewarding experience all at the same time.  This year Sapp Design is pleased to announce that we were awarded 2 Citations for outstanding design out of 112 schools submitted to American School & Universities’s 2015 Architectural Portfolio.

This years citation winners where selected biassed on the following criteria: Collaborative at both the student and educator levels, personalized learning, project based learning flexibility, active learning/active play/movement in K-12 spaces, STEM, technology, resourcefulness in every part of the building, agility of spaces, adaptation, lifecycle of building and systems, buildings, building/facility that reflects community and functions as center of community,security/safety, learning occurring in every part of the building, age-appropriate spaces, and an appropriate sense of place/culture.

A jury committee of Architects and Educational Administrators evaluated submissions from architectural firms, schools and universities across the country.  Of the 112 projects submitted the jury selected two of Sapp Design’s projects for Special Citations. The Jury praised Springfield, Missouri’s Sherwood Elementary for being “Colorful and Collaborative” and applauded the renovation of Nixa, Missouri’s Junior High for “Minimal Intervention provides total transformation”! Having these project called out nationally is a great honor for the Sapp Design team and a strong reassurance to the clients we serve that our team is working hard to design top notch educational facilities. 

2015 Project Team of the Year!

Posted By bsapp – Nov 6 | 2015

Last Night Sapp Design Associates was honored and humbled to win the 2015 Project Team of the Year Award given by the Springfield Contractors Association. 

IMG_3260The Project Team of the Year Award is given to the most notable project of the year judged on the creativity, uniqueness, and complexity along with the cooperative efforts of the design and construction teams to solve problems throughout the duration of the project and over all contribution to the community.

“It has been a truly great experience to work with the Springfield Public Schools staff, Sapp Design Associates Architects and DeWitt Contractors.  It is gratifying to come together to produce a quality project for the Springfield Community. We appreciate all of our donors, especially Sertoma Clubs, for their outstanding support, as well as our hard-working Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield Board of Directors and Club staff. “– Boys & Girls Club

“It was a pleasure to be a part of this team.  We were a “Team” from the start of construction through the punch work and the first day of school.  There was a job to be done.  Everyone accepted their roles and implemented their respective duties toward the successful completion with virtually no negativity.  I truly believe, in my thirty plus years in commercial construction, I feel fortunate to place this Team in my top “3”; and I’d have to flip a coin to decide 1st, 2nd and 3rd.”  – Laurie Luna, Bond Project Manager, Springfield Public Schools

Project’s contribution to community:

Southwest Springfield is continuing to grow, and the demand on the public school system is straining the capacity of existing facilities.  As a part of the 2013 bond issue, Springfield Public Schools decided to build a new elementary school to replace the small, overcrowded, out-of-date, and aging Sherwood Elementary school.  The new building increases the student capacity from around 260 to over 500 kids.  This allowed some redistricting to reduce overcrowding in other elementary schools in the area.

In addition to the contribution to the school system itself, Springfield Public Schools partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to establish a first-in-the-state relationship.  The Boys and Girls Club has 5500 square feet of dedicated space, and shares other spaces, such as the gym, art studio, music studio, media center, and cafeteria with the school. The new Sertoma Unit of the Boys and Girls Club is providing before and after school programs for up to 250 kids, as well as summer programs for the surrounding community.  There are only a handful of public school/Boys & Girls Club partnerships across the entire United States.  This partnership was made possible by a community that embraces collaboration and supports the mission of the BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SPRINGFIELD.