Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 26, 1994 TAG: 9411280018
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MELISSA DeVAUGHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Kipps Elementary School - the one on Prices Fork Road with the big apple-green roof - was the 1994 winner of the Virginia School Boards Association's annual competition in school architecture.
Here's what the judges had to say about Kipps:
"This project excels in all phases. Architecturally, there is a real sense of public and private spaces. Nice use of colors and graphics. A humanistic, child-like, fun place for children."
Falling Branch Elementary School in Christiansburg won the same award in 1992. The architects, Motley and Associates of Roanoke, designed both schools which have almost identical floor plans.
"Schools are being designed not just for the students and faculty, but for the community at large," said Architect Ben Motley. "The community can use [Kipps Elementary] after hours while still securing the classroom side of the school."
For instance, Kipps Elementary has a full-sized gymnasium rather than a playroom or small recreation room like many other schools, and small offices are located near the gym for parks and recreational personnel.
Blacksburg contributed more than $370,000 of the school's $5 million cost to help pay for a larger gymnasium and to buy additional land for ball fields so the school could fulfill a dual purpose for both education and town recreation.
"It's a partnership, if you will, between the public and local government institutions," Motley added.
Kipps Elementary School opened its doors this year to more than 450 pupils in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. The school was an immediate hit, as children were drawn to the bright primary colors decorating the floors and walls, the giant pencil-shaped columns in the front entrance way and the carpet-covered gym floor.
Some adults, however, thought the bright green roof, seen from afar, was garish. "Our main thrust is to create schools that make it fun for the students," said architect and president of Motley and Associates, Ken Motley this summer. "We do it for the children, not for the adults, but I think once you see the roof as part of the finished product, it is really appealing."
The roof must have appealed to some adults because Kipps Elementary was chosen from 14 entries submitted across the state. Besides the childlike attractions, the school dining area captures a view of the mountains, an outdoor courtyard offers a secure play area and an outdoor bedecks the school campus.
The judges said that of all the entries, Kipps Elementary was "the pick of the litter."
Other local entrants included the newly renovated Highland Park Elementary School and Virginia Heights Elementary Schools, both in Roanoke.
"We were obviously delighted because the award came from a group who are our clients," Ben Motley said. "These are the people we work for, and people we try to please."
by CNB