Indian River Intermediate School

Narratives

Architect Narrative

The Indian River Intermediate School was designed to support and reinforce the faculty’s teaming philosophy and methods. Additionally, the structure establishes a sense of identity for all District students in Grades 4 and 5 and recognizes the vital role this contemporary school will play in the community.

The Intermediate School is organized in two major zones; i.e. a two-story academic area and a high volume activities area. The two zones are connected by the building’s main entrance, central administrative functions and media center. The focal point of the school is a circular, sky-lighted atrium. The atrium is intended to be a display area in which the school establishes its individual sense of purpose and place.

The academic wing consists of eight self-contained team clusters. Each cluster houses four interconnected classrooms and a supervisable common area of toilet rooms and project centers. Through the use of retractable partitions, the cluster is spontaneously flexible. Areas can be separated or opened to accommodate groups ranging from a very few to the full population of the cluster.

The activities wing features the high energy spaces; i.e. gymnasium, cafeteria and music rooms. Since these facilities house the activities/performances that require community access at night and on weekends, this wing has a separate entry/lobby/milling space and can be isolated from the remainder of the building.

The primary school entrance is in the center of the plan and can be supervised from the main office. The atrium and media center are on axis with the main entrance and are also structured for secured community access in off-hours. The media center and adjoining computer classroom will be the sites for evening adult education programs.

As a unifying element, the School District’s colors of blue and white are used liberally in all areas. Exterior and interior materials were chosen for their durability, appearance and maintainability.

To optimize efficiency and minimize operating costs, the school was sited to shelter entrances and approaches from snow accumulation and prevailing winter winds. The building is heated (and fully cooled) by geothermal technology.

Educator Narrative

In response to your recent request regarding the quality of your services, I’d like to take a few moments to reference a number of areas which, hopefully, you can use in your future marketing efforts.

First and foremost, our project was large in terms of cost ($34,493,000) and in terms of buildings renovated or constructed (seven with renovations or additions and one new construction). This made the project particularly complex to execute, but your planning and willingness to work very closely with our construction manager made it possible, and is currently the project in on time and on budget.

Next, MARCH Associates willingness to venture into new areas is a breath of fresh air. When members of our Board of Education pushed, and pushed hard, for you to redesign the entire HVAC system to use geothermal technology, you rose to the task and made it work. The proof is in the temperate atmosphere in the buildings affected on days where the exterior temperatures hovered in the 15 to 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit range. Other architects may have dismissed this idea as impractical; you made it a reality. Through it all, you worked well with our board to ensure their needs, desires, and ideas were incorporated. This resulted in many changes, but the end product is better for it.

Your designs are bright and airy. The spaces are cheerful and conducive to academic pursuits. Many have commented on the fact that there is a visible difference when they transition from the newer areas in a renovated building to one of the older areas. Your use of color themes and subtle color accents give a feeling of life to the buildings and capitalize on the district’s colors to foster district pride. The difference is noticeable and draws favorable comments!

MARCH Associates can be proud of its work here at Indian River. Your creativity and professional handling of a myriad of changes reflect well on you and your staff. We wish you the best in all of your future design efforts.

Roger W. Adams
Superintendent of Schools
Indian River Central School District