LOCATION
Omaha, Nebraska

AREA
112,455 GSF

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Located in South Omaha, the Omaha Public Schools’ Pine Elementary opened in 2022 to alleviate the overcrowding amongst neighboring schools. The building, which is capable of serving up to 600 students, takes advantage of the former site of Grace University, which was a private, Christian university that operated for more than 70 years, and its existing gymnasium and student center.

The team worked closely with South Omaha neighborhood associations to ensure the building’s design adhered to the aesthetic of the historic area. The site also preserved the natural historic landscape, on the west portion of the site along 10th Street.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• American School & University’s 2023 Architectural Portfolio’s Outstanding Design for Elementary Schools.
• The school’s design prioritized natural resources. This was accomplished through the preservation of the embodied energy of both the existing gymnasium building and the reuse of the building structure of the connected student center.
• The cooling tower is utilized by the HVAC system to add reject heat from the heat pump loop. High-efficiency boilers will be utilized to add heat to the heat pump loop.
• The temperature control system is managed by a Direct Digital Control system connected to the Omaha Public Schools (OPS) building management control system.
• Wet sprinkler system provides fire protection throughout the building.
• Designed a new emergency generator that provides backup power.
• Daylight harvesting is taken advantage of wherever possible throughout the building.
• Gathering spaces and corridors, as well as each classroom, have a wireless clock and the intercom system provides separate zones for each classroom.
• Dedicated telecommunications rooms were constructed according to the OPS standard to accommodate expanded infrastructure.
• Designed audiovisual systems equipment and supporting infrastructure for the gymnasium and cafeteria sound systems.
• Designed a video intercom system for the main entrance door and other strategic locations to integrate with access control, video surveillance systems, and phone systems. Designed intrusion detection alarm system to include door position switches, volumetric motion detection, duress buttons, arm/disarm keypads, and field panels.

Photography credit: Tom Kessler Photography