Leeds Elementary School

Project Details

Project Description

FEH Associates’ design of the Leeds Elementary School replacement facility marked the first extensive use of a pitched roof structure within the Sioux City Community School District.

Working with the District on numerous maintenance projects, FEH was well aware that roof repair constituted a large portion of ongoing building maintenance. This new 93,000 square foot facility for 650 students grades PreK-5 is designed with a pitched, standing seam, metal roof for longer life and less maintenance. The building uses two main wings; one serving the lower grades and one for the higher elementary classrooms. The sloped roof is part of a raised spine along the building’s four classroom corridors. Within that spine, clerestory windows help provide daylighting throughout the building. A central daylight commons area serves as a dining area and opens into the library/media center and full-size gymnsium/multi-purpose room with stage. The building offers special education rooms, as art room, general music room, administrative offices and support spaces.

The previous school, adjacent to the new building, remained in operation during phased construction. Once the new building was completed, the existing building was razed to provide parking to the new facility. The stone entry from the original historic school was incorporated into the new building’s main entrance.

The Weidt Group, an independent building energy performance modeler (contracted by MidAmerican Energy), determined that this project qualified for a $98,000 energy incentive through MidAmerican Energy.