Jefferson Elementary School has been occupying 4.5 acres in the heart of Spokane’s Comstock neighborhood since 1908. It underwent an expansion in 1948 and again in 1956, adding portables to account for the growing population in the community. As the influx of new students continued over the decades, Spokane Public Schools made the step to remodel Jefferson Elementary after the passing of a $25.1 million school levy.
MMEC Architecture of Spokane was hired to design the almost 60,000 square foot project bringing the entire school under one roof. Wanting the school to blend into the fabric of the neighborhood, MMEC designed the school to express the classic architecture of one-story schools on the exterior, but modernized the interior to coincide with new teaching philosophies and technology. A central courtyard is surrounded by classrooms, while a new gymnasium and library continue on the hierarchical axis, providing a flow throughout the building for students and staff alike.
Keeping with the theme of a traditional school that blends in the with the surrounding neighborhood, MMEC selected Inca face brick from Mutual Materials for its veneer. Inca is one of our most popular colors because its classic red tone evokes the nostalgic look of buildings constructed over the past century. In addition to the face brick, a wainscoting of both ground and split face gray concrete masonry units was used to provide a unique visual aesthetic that contrasts with the red brick but doesn’t take away from the overall appeal of the school.
T.W. Clark was the general contractor, spearheading the project and the mason contractor was Great Northern Masonry Company.
If you are interested in learning how Mutual Materials brick and concrete masonry units and their wide variety of color options can meet your project’s needs from both a structural and visual standpoint, call us today at 1-888-688-8250 to speak with an architectural sales representative.
Citations:
- Jefferson Elementary School
- City of Spokane, Washington
- Spokane Public Schools
- Mutual Materials
- Mutual Materials – Face Brick
- Mutual Materials – Concrete Masonry Units
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