Rosa Parks Elementary is part of a multi-phase HOPE VI redevelopment project in the Portsmouth neighborhood in Portland. A unique partnership between the Housing Authority of Portland, the PortlandPublicSchool District, the Boys and Girls Club of Portland and Portland Parks & Recreation resulted in the development of a community campus within the New Columbia neighborhood. The community campus involved the construction of the school and a Boys and Girls Club.

The building is two stories, with a total of 67,297 SF. Certified as a Gold project under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, the New Columbia community campus incorporated “green building” techniques throughout construction. WALSH’s team faced the challenges posed by inclement weather and a fast-track schedule to deliver the project on budget and schedule in time for the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year.

Categories: Community, Education, K-12

SMART

GREEN

Rosa Parks Elementary

Size

The school is two stories totaling 67,297 SF.

Clients

New Colombia Community Campus

Architects

Dull Olsen Weekes Architects

Press

Rosa Parks Elementary School | Portland Public Schools

Awards

LEED Gold - U.S. Green Building Council

Richard Riley Award for Schools as Centers of Community - American Architectural Foundation and KnowledgeWorks Foundation

2007 Grand Prize for Design Excellence - Learning by Design Journal

2007 Grand Prize for Sustainability - Learning by Design Journal

2007 Mayor's Award for Design Excellence - Portland Chapter of American Institute of Architects

2008 William W. Caudill Citation - American School & University Architectural Portfolio

Pinnacle Award for Architectural Excellence - NW Regional Council of Educational Facility Planners

Design Award - National American Institute of Architects/Committee on Architecture for Education

Walsh’s team faced the challenges posed by inclement weather and a fast-track schedule to deliver the project on budget and schedule in time for the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year.
We faced an issue regarding funding approval and drawing commencement. The approval process took longer than anticipated, squeezing the schedule, yet the end date could not be adjusted. One way to address the challenge was to begin earthwork and foundations prior to completion of design. The risks were high, including mislocation and/or incorrect sizing of foundations. To avoid these mistakes, continuous communication between all members of the OAC team was required. Any possible changes were discussed and finalized as construction progressed.
Project was designed, bid, permitted and financed in phases without demobilizing and can be described as “Just in Time” design/bid/build.
Schedule was maintained through close collaboration with the entire team.

Certified as a Gold project under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program incorporated “green building” techniques throughout construction

Rosa Parks Elementary is part of a multi-phase HOPE VI redevelopment project in the Portsmouth neighborhood in Portland.
A unique partnership between the Housing Authority of Portland, the Portland Public School District, the Boys and Girls Club of Portland and Portland Parks & Recreation resulted in the development of a community campus, including the school and a Boys and Girls Club, within the New Columbia neighborhood.
Focused on learning, the school is divided into four neighborhoods, each containing 125 students. Each neighborhood contains five classrooms, a resource room, and support functions around a commons.
Families are provided their own resource room at the school’s entry, as well as access to an information center.
The increased need for education, community, family and youth support programs encouraged the school to house a new Boys & Girls Club.
Surrounding the school is an 82-acre community with significant infrastructure and a comprehensive park system.

our WORK

Rosa Parks Elementary