Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School is a former APS school built in the late 70’s. It is one of Rio Rancho School District’s oldest schools. Our previous title, Garrett Smith Ltd. was challenged to nearly double the number of classrooms at this overcrowded elementary school which held nearly half its population in portables. We studied the existing school to find code deficiencies and functional inadequacies, then developed a plan based on economic and environmental principles. The new building acts as a giant windscreen for the school and forms a large semi-enclosed courtyard capable of holding the entire school. Interiors are light-filled and naturally ventilated with environmentally friendly materials chosen throughout. The efficiency of the design will translate into dividends in utility costs for years to come.
The new addition reflects the values and standards of Rio Rancho Public Schools, putting a premium on the learning environment at a no-nonsense cost per square foot for construction and long-term operation and maintenance efficiency.
