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Hovatter Elementary School

Aldie, Virginia

client

Loudoun County Public Schools

size

110,400 sf; 960 students

type

New Construction

Grimm + Parker - ES 29 _ Hovatterr

This new elementary school was developed to reflect the emerging collaborative learning philosophy of Loudoun County and creates opportunities throughout the campus for both formal and informal learning.

At the heart of the school is a Media Center that acts as the central learning commons. At one end of the Media Center, the main stairways connect the two floors with the learning theater steps, allowing education to take center stage throughout the day.

The classrooms are arranged in a loop for maximum flexibility as student populations change. The Collaborative Commons is a place where small groups of students and individuals can work on projects, research, and a variety of learning styles while being supervised from the classrooms through transparent vantage points.

These spaces are in each classroom cluster and also across from the art room and provide project material storage, a sink, work counters, a project display area, and flexible tables, chairs and soft furniture.

Hovatter ES was designed to be PV-ready and, due to the prioritization of energy efficiency in the building’s design, it was recognized by the U.S. EPA as “Designed to Earn ENERGY STAR” with a perfect score of 100. It was designed to conform with Virginia CHPS Criteria for sustainable schools. It currently has 562.5 kW of solar energy on its roof!

Grimm + Parker - ES 29 _ Hovatterr

Awards

Honorable Project, New Construction

US Environmental Protection Agency

Decarbonize Your Design Challenge Winner

Energy Star