C A SC A DE S AC A DE M Y OF CENT R A L OREGON
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CASCADES ACADEMY OF CENTRAL OREGON Situated among high desert junipers, pines and volcanic boulders near the Deschutes River, the new campus of Cascades Academy of Central Oregon provides an ideal setting for experiential learning with a strong connection to the natural environment. The project is comprised of a main academic building arranged in main, upper and lower wings; a detached gymnasium; and athletic field. Thoughtful siting, building forms, material use and sustainable features emphasize the shared values of visual permeability, energy efficiency and a healthy, interactive community.
East elevation of upper classroom wing
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PROJECT BACKGROUND Founded in 2003, Cascades Academy is an independent pre-kindergarten through 12th grade private school with a student body of about 160 students. The school promotes learning through a curriculum that encourages student participation, accountability, respect and collaboration, both inside the classroom and within the community and natural surroundings. The Academy’s existing facility was outdated, overcrowded and lacked a connection to the outdoors that was vital for the school’s mission. In selecting the Tumalo site, Cascades committed to integrating with and protecting the character of the landscape while providing a healthy and inspiring learning environment.
Existing facility
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Project site
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Aerial photograph with contour overlay
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CONTEXT The 20 acre site of Cascades Academy encompasses the distinct and sensitive canyon landscape of Central Oregon. Located just 15 minutes north of downtown Bend, the campus is conveniently located yet removed from an urban context. The Deschutes River and Tumalo State Park wrap along the eastern edge and a dramatic canyon, with connections to the local Native American population, defines the edge to the north. This sparse high desert landscape, scattered with a forest of ancient junipers and pines, light volcanic soils and rock outcroppings, was even once the setting for a John Wayne movie.
Existing images of site
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SITE ANALYSIS Extensive analysis of the site was conducted to understand and preserve the natural setting. Five distinct regions of the site were identified: the lower bench, upper bench, highlands, canyon and the draw. Rock formations and a varied terrain provide for views to nearby bluffs and the river below.
Site investigation
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LDS church land
property line
view to bluff HIGHLANDS +3250 high point
CANYON Top of Slope
Bottom of Slope
potential entry locations
CROSS CANYON LOWER BENCH
4-5% slope
3-6% slope
UPPER BENCH
+3195 low point view to river
rocky escarpment
CANYON DRAW
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Model studies including the three primary design options: 1. Canyon 2. View 3. Courtyard
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SITE PLANNING & PROGRAMMING Physical models enabled the design team to explore various building and phasing configurations as they related to the slope and solar orientation of the site. Three primary design options were studied: the Canyon, View and Courtyard. The selected Courtyard configuration consists of classroom wings that form protected and usable outdoor spaces and minimize impact to the site. 1
Early programming studies focused on four distinct space types: classrooms, specialty spaces (including labs and libraries), administration areas and common spaces. It was important to the client that the identity of the school be reflected in the design of each space. Special attention was paid to upper and lower classroom adjacencies, natural daylight/ventilation opportunities and maximizing views to the outdoors.
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Classrooms Specialty Spaces Administration/Office Common Spaces Service/Support Circulation 3
Phase 2
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MASTER PLAN The Cascades campus master plan comprises two phases of construction. Phase I includes the academic building, gymnasium and athletic field. Phase II adds an additional classroom wing to the south, providing a connection to the gymnasium and an additional courtyard. Minimal impact landscaping elements integrate the phased construction and buildings with the site.
LEGEND 1 Entry Drive 2 Water Tank 3 ADA Parking 4 Parking Lots 5 Stone Amphitheater 6 Walking Paths, Typ. 7 Teaching Pavilion 8 Path to Main Building 9 Drop-off Area 10 Terrace Seating 11 Terrace 12 New Planting Areas, Typ. 13 Dry Laid Stone Retaining Wall 14 Fire Truck Access 15 Irrigated Flexible Lawn Area 16 Covered Playground 17 Septic Field 18 Athletic Field 19 Stadium Steps 20 Covered Bike Storage/Garbage 21 Concrete Retaining Wall
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PHASE 1 PHASE 2
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DESIGN INSPIRATION The rhythm of scattered junipers and ponderosa pines of the surrounding high desert landscape established an open and permeable context for the design and use of the building. The ashy soils, hardy plant life and arid terrain inspired a palette of colors and materials in natural hues and textures. Vernacular forms responsive to the greater Central Oregon regional context were at the core of early design studies.
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SKETCHES Early schematic design sketches explored the building’s roof forms and material concepts. Rhythms of solid wood siding and contrasting glass voids were inspired by the natural spacing of trees on the site. This design concept of solids and voids was subtly integrated throughout the project.
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Early design sketches
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Northeast elevation: Folded Plane option
Northeast elevation: Shed Roof option
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DESIGN OPTIONS & DIGITAL MODELING Extensive digital modeling was done to study various building forms. Shed, pitched, butterfly and folded roof configurations were explored through digital studies and design option comparisons.
Southeast elevation: Folded Plane option
Southeast elevation: Shed Roof option
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Concept rendering of east elevation
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2 Concept renderings: 1. Upper School Classroom 2. Main Commons
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Concept rendering of entry hallway looking north
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Concept rendering of main commons looking east
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SITE & FLOOR PLANS Careful site planning limited the impact of the new campus on the natural landscape. The building and parking are woven within existing plants and terrain. The campus is terraced with the gently sloping site.
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The school is configured into distinct wings arranged to define a courtyard and outdoor spaces. The commons, library, lower school, upper school and gymnasium open to sheltered outdoor spaces for gatherings and outdoor classes.
LEGEND 1 Canyon 2 Entrance 3 Main Commons 4 Administrative Space 5 Upper School 6 Upper School Commons 7 Lower School 8 Lower School Commons 9 Library 10 Computer Lab 11 Art Classroom 12 Science Labs 13 Gymnasium 14 Courtyard
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PHASE 2
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North elevation of upper wing & main commons
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View from upper wing to lower wing looking south
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CONSTRUCTION The construction duration for Phase I of the project was 15 months, with completion in October 2013. Focusing custom features primariliy on common spaces contributed to a building and site construction cost of only $190 per square foot. Classroom and administrative wings were built with precut wood joists, pre-engineered trusses and suspended ceilings, while gathering spaces, corridors, and entrances were highlighted with exposed heavy timber structure, vaulted wood ceilings and interior wood siding.
Framing and sheathing of entry hall
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East elevation of upper and lower wings during construction
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East elevation of upper and lower wings after completion
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BUILDING FORM & FUNCTION Cascades Academy was built with a sensitivity to the immediate site and to the surrounding landforms. The single-story, shed-roof forms reflect the character, climate and setting of the area and are oriented to provide control of sun, shade, wind and snow. Generous openings and overhangs maximize opportunities for daylighting, views and year-round outdoor learning. The juxtapositions of classroom wings form common circulation spaces and interstitial courtyards to facilitate student interaction with the site. Framed views, protected terraces and porches create strong visual, physical, and spatial relationships with the surrounding terrain.
East elevation of lower wing
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Aerial view of Cascades Academy campus looking west
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Main entrance at west elevation
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SUSTAINABILITY Cascades Academy embraced long-term thinking with respect to materials and systems. The site and buildings are designed to be largely self-sufficient. Taking advantage of the excavation for the athletic field, the primary heat source is a horizontal geo-exchange loop installed beneath the field. A small glass window in the entry floor slab displays radiant tubing and helps teach students and visitors about the building systems. An onsite well and cistern provide water, and native vegetation along with low flow and waterless plumbing fixtures help make the most of this limited resource. A displacement ventilation system using 100% outdoor air coupled with operable windows provides efficient ventilation. Air conditioning is limited to the administrative offices and commons. The gymnasium is constructed with insulated concrete forms and relies entirely on passive cooling and ventilation from large ceiling fans and air louvers with automated dampers. Roofs at the classrooms and gym are oriented and designed to be photovoltaic-ready.
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LEGEND 1 Nearby Three Sisters Wilderness Area 2 Ceiling Fan 3 Athletic Field 4 Radiant Tube Display 5 PV-ready Classroom Roofs 6 Geo-exchange Loop 7 Nearby Deschutes River
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OUTDOOR SPACE Establishing a deliberate dialogue between the buildings and the terrain and between indoor spaces and the landscape were principal design inspirations. The commons, library, lower school, upper school and gymnasium open to sheltered outdoor spaces for gatherings and outdoor classes. The library terrace steps down to a central courtyard designed for informal gatherings, outdoor classes and performances.
Outdoor connection between gymnasium and classroom wing
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GYMNASIUM The gymnasium is a multi-purpose space for athletics, school assemblies and community events. Glazed overhead doors open up to a spacious outdoor terrace. Special design elements engage students. Slot windows are sized and oriented towards significant mountain peaks of the region. “Surprise� child-height windows offer small children their own perspective to the landscape and terrain.
Gymnasium overhead doors
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Gymnasium entrance at northeast corner with child-height windows
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MATERIALS A simple and consistent material palette of cedar siding, stucco, glass and metal roofing was used to blend the buildings’ exteriors with the site. Colors were selected to be sympathetic to those found in the vegetation, soil and volcanic debris native to the area. Wood is brought to the interior in the form of wood slat ceilings, accent walls and custom detailing. Exposed polished concrete floors and carpets in natural hues provide low-maintenance and durable floor finishes. Colorful accent paint and tackable surfaces mark entrances and display areas. Large expanses of glazing frame views through the building, connecting students and teachers with the site. White ceilings and skylights distribute even natural daylight throughout the spaces.
Initial material sketches
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Palette of natural materials
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Entry hall looking south
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MAIN WING & ENTRY HALLS The design of the entry halls aimed to reflect the identity of the school and provide an impressive image for visitors to walk away with. Abundant daylight floods in from clerestories, skylights and generous banks of deeply shaded windows that connect the interior halls to the natural landscape. The commons, library, upper and lower school gathering spaces flow freely into circulation and each opens directly to the site.
Entry hall looking west
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CLASSROOM WINGS & COMMONS The form of each classroom wing is unique to the student group it serves. The lower school corridor narrows at its end, creating a more intimate space for younger students. The upper school corridor splays open to create the upper school commons which serves as casual gathering and collaboration space for older students. Both wings open to decks sheltered by generous roof overhangs for outdoor learning opportunities. Classroom entrances are identified with bright colors that correspond to location and function. Large operable glazed panels connect and expand the main commons to an outdoor terrace overlooking the canyon.
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1 Lower School Commons 2 Upper School Commons 3 Main Commons
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CLASSROOMS & SCIENCE LABS All classrooms are designed with a square plan layout to allow the teaching wall to be relocated and provide for a variety of group seating arrangements. Abundant natural light is brought into each classroom and lab space through large windows, skylights and clerestory glazing for even illumination at teaching and work surfaces. Large operable windows with low sills provide natural ventilation and views of the surrounding site.
Science lab
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Lower school classroom
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Library looking south
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Library looking north
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DETAILS Thoughtfully designed connections between heavy timber and exposed steel structural elements celebrate both materials and create a sense of lightness at their intersections. Exterior steel columns are detailed with double-channel members and offset connections, emphasizing the thinness of the material and allowing light to pass through. Detailed steel base plates allow heavy timber columns to float above the concrete floors.
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PROJECT INFORMATION Client: Cascades Academy of Central Oregon Location: Tumalo, Oregon Building Use: Pre-K-12th Grade Private School Site Area: 20 Acres Building Area: 39,754 sf Construction Type: V-B Occupancy Type: Mixed Use E & B Construction Cost: $7.57 M Cost/sf: $190/sf Completion Date: September 2013 HEA Project Number: 07030 CORE DESIGN TEAM: Principal-in-Charge: Timothy Eddy, AIA Project Manager/Architect: Dan Petrescu, AIA Project Architect: Camilla Cok, AIA Interior Architect: Angelique Nossa, IIDA Project Team: Alan Osborne, AIA; James Gantz, AIA; Siavash Kazeminejad; Kristy Hauslden COLLABORATORS: General Contractor: CS Construction Civil Engineer: D’Agostino Parker LLC Landscape Architect: Mayer | Reed Structural Engineer: Walker Structural Engineering MEP Engineer: Interface Engineering Photographer: Josh Partee
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