LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Lincoln Elementary School is located in Gallup, New Mexico. The 50,000 square foot building will replace the 1960's structure currently housing Lincoln's 340 students. The design draws its inspiration from the local culture and the school's moniker through the use of copper. A child's first encounter with our 16th president, and the namesake for the school, is on the copper penny. At the same time copper is a common material utilized in the intricate jewelry design of the local Navajo People.

The site is located along a north-south axis which requires extensive shading on the east and west facades. The resulting solution is a custom brise soleil that shades the second floor of the two-story structure while integrating the copper concept. For the lower floor Baker A+D has proposed board formed concrete which is durable, low maintenance, and contrasts the delicate brise soleil above. Baker A+D wanted to make sure this was an economical choice for the school district so special attention was paid to the fabrication process. The design allows twelve individual panels to be cut from a single sheet of steel without any waste. This makes for a simple, cost effective solution that still evokes the creativity and innovation of a modern-day elementary school.

The interior will feature board-formed concrete walls, polished concrete floors, exposed glulam beams, and acoustical wood ceilings. Shared multi-use spaces offer teachers alternative teaching opportunities while transparency at calculated points throughout the floor plan offer visual connections between floors. The entire design aims to engage the students and offer comfortable and intriguing learning environments for students, teachers and guests.