Brookside Elementary

Both architectural firms involved in the construction of Brookside Elementary School in Indianapolis agree that it took some effort to convince the school board to go with a contemporary design for the new 90,000 sq. ft. facility. David Franklin, principal with Domain Architecture, the associate firm on the project, acknowledges “pushing for a contemporary design” and claims the new school is “by far the most interesting design of the ten new schools funded by the bond issue.”

The project received the 2007 Achievement Award for community development from Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. The organization recognizes excellence among those who have contributed to the enhancement and beautification of the city.A highlight of the design is two prominent canopies utilizing more than 4,000 sq. ft. of Citadel Panel 20® MCM panels finished in clear anodized.

The Panel 20 system is field-assembled for greater value and offers superior flatness and durability. David Post, project architect with lead firm URS, Indianapolis, explains that the new school replaced a structure built in the late 1800’s. “We wanted to create a fresh look in a neighborhood that has some economic challenges. We knew we wanted the exterior material to be primarily brick to relate to the school’s heritage. But we also included a dramatic two-story vertical limestone veneer component as the expression to the street.” The Citadel canopies engage the limestone and provide continuity for the school’s two bus entrances. “The grid created by the canopy panels tied in nicely with the texture of the limestone veneer,” according to Post. “There’s also a nice residual effect provided by illuminating the underside of the canopies at night.

The reflective nature of the clear anodized finish provides a ‘night presence’ that is very appealing.” Mark Bay, URS’ senior design architect on the project, summarized “We looked at various Citadel products and selected Panel 20 because of its affordability and the way the system relates to the other materials.”Installation of the Citadel panels was done by Reflections Glass & Mirror, Hartsville, IN.

“We do a lot with Panel 20 and our guys are good at it,” said Bill Sprauer. “On this job, we routed the panels at the corners to avoid outside corner extrusions. Really came out nice.” Citadel’s distributor, Spohn Associates, Inc., Indianapolis, prepared all of the shop drawings and ordered the material. According to project manager Andy Imes, “The design was ‘rainscreen influenced’ as the drawings were being prepared. The field-cut, field-routed job turned out sleek. You can’t beat the speed and the look and the cost of the Panel 20 system.”