Elementary/Middle School/High School
Photo Courtesy of Al F. Payne Photography
The
new $16.7 million 220,000-square-foot San Cayetano Elementary School, Calabasas
Middle School and Rio Rico High School is located in the high desert of Rio
Rico, Arizona, which is approximately 20 miles north of the Mexico border. The
Santa Cruz School District retained the services of the Orcutt/Winslow
Partnership in 1992 to master plan, program, design and supervise construction.
The facility is designed and planned to accommodate 2,000 students.
Located on
the crest of an overlook, the 140-acre project site takes advantage of the
natural sloping site in the organization of the plan. For example, the
gymnasiums are depressed 16 feet below the upper level of the adjacent
buildings, thereby decreasing their mass in relation to other adjacent
buildings. Since the gymnasiums and associated locker areas are essentially
below grade, concrete and masonry walls were required. Additionally, an exterior
plaza is located above the locker room areas.
The plaza
is essentially a concrete wear slab over a sophisticated waterproofing system
installed over a structural concrete and steel deck. The plaza serves as a large
assembly area for graduations, dances and concerts while simultaneously
providing a roof over the lower locker areas.
Masonry
and concrete were the materials of choice for structural walls and high traffic
areas that are subject to abuse. Standard and split-face masonry at the base of
the buildings provided an interesting and cost effective means of providing a
durable texture on the buildings where abuse is most prone. The rusticated base
is appropriate for the stylized Spanish-Mexican architectural theme.
Additionally, the offsets tend to provide visual interest through shade and
shadow at the interior of the gymnasiums. Stained standard concrete masonry
units and stucco over concrete masonry units are used for the column spring
points as accents. Glazed concrete masonry accents are also used at key areas.
In order to satisfy the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and
other access codes, a large masonry and concrete ramp was constructed on the
face of the slope to allow access to the athletic areas below. The structure
doubles as an observation platform for athletic events.
Through
the use of concrete and masonry as main structural materials, final building
costs were approximately $75 per square foot, very impressive for an educational
facility on such a remote site.
7878 N. 16th Street, Suite 270
* Phoenix, AZ 85020
Phone: (602) 943-8424 Fax: (602) 943-7931