Bridgeway Island Elementary
Broderick, CA

Project Description:

In August 2004, Bridgeway Elementary School was able to begin the school year with much needed classrooms due to the successful completion of a $3 million addition to the main campus. Construction of four modular classroom buildings, associated site work, utilities and landscaping began on June 11 and had to be finished in time for the start of classes on August 11.

While facing the tight deadline, Washington Unified School District received a single bid — 300 percent of the architect’s estimate and well in excess of the District’s budget — for site work, utilities and landscaping. These particular phases of construction were critical to the overall function and timing of the new classroom buildings. Without completion of the site work and utilities, the new classrooms could not open.

Like many school districts in California, the District was facing growth from new development, but none could predict its fast pace. In response to the rapid growth of the community, the District’s design committee created a master plan to accommodate the school’s expansion needs using modular classroom buildings that could be ordered and delivered on a short demand.

In order to meet the deadline and remain within budget, the District teamed with the PM/CM division of Kleinfelder, Inc., the architects of Stafford King Wiese, and the classroom building contractors from Allen L. Bender, Inc. to divide the work into small, multiple prime contracts that included sewer, electrical, low voltage, EMS controls, network management, fire hydrant and landscaping. The project was separated into three increments: site preparation; construction of the classroom buildings and remaining associated site work, utilities and landscaping.

The coordinated the efforts of the PM/CM staff, the multiple prime contractors, the building contractor and the District maintenance staff contributed to the successful outcome of the project.

The school’s “fishbowl” site is shared with a park and has street frontage on all sides. Houses sharing the streets face the site, so it was important to create extended space between all houses and all sides of the school buildings. The site is open and easily supervised from the streets. The central quad of the campus serves as a secure “backyard” away from traffic. Covered walkways link every classroom to the school office, multipurpose room and library in the school’s only conventionally constructed building. This building is adjoined to the north by the outdoor court areas, which lead to the field areas of the aforementioned park. Park amenities were designed with a Creole theme and that particular style is carried throughout the school’s composition.

The modular classroom buildings are arranged in paired wings of similar grade level classrooms. Entry doors face a large turf area, which brings the “front yard” and supervision to all classrooms. A second, backdoor connects each classroom to a much smaller-scaled space in the middle of each wing, linking it to other classrooms. This allows classes to interact and share program and instructional opportunities. In addition to the cross-ventilation afforded by the two doors, the classrooms have windows on two sides, providing access for excellent natural light. Because the orientation of the modular buildings varies as they are placed on the site, wide overhangs are provided to shade doors and windows. Deciduous trees are planted to provide additional shading.

To provide maximum flexibility in phasing, a meandering walk connecting the wings at their mid-point bisects the radial wings. Any number of classrooms could be built in a phase without obstructing the operating areas of the school. Classrooms were outfitted with comparable casework and other features, which allowed classes to move and remain close to similar grade levels as the school expanded.

Bridgeway Island Elementary School, located at 3255 Half Moon Bay Circle, is now a focal point of the community, serving 663 students from the surrounding neighborhoods.