Hooper Hall Description

- A Grades School Building for the Arts -

I. Historical overview

Hooper Hall represents the culmination of the Santa Fe Waldorf School’s 1994 Master Plan. At that time, Leland Stearns, Stearns Architecture, was the architect for this original master plan that included renovation of the Grades 1-4 building; remodeling the 7/8th grade building; design and construction of the 5/6th grade building; design and construction of the drop-off shelter; and design of the handicap pathways and parking. The cycle is completed as Leland returns to design the final phase of this Master Plan. The last remaining square footage available in this Master Plan, 4,880 sq. ft., will be used completely in the design of Hooper Hall.

II. Location
Hooper Hall will be situated between the current basketball court and the temporary Woodwork building. It completes an arc of Grades School campus buildings—from the Kinder Building around through the 7/8th Grade Building. As much of our property is located in the scenic highway corridor, the height is limited.

III. Functions

Establishing a permanent eurythmy program has been a long-term goal of the Faculty and the Board of Trustees. The central space of Hooper Hall is dedicated to eurythmy. Extending in both directions from the central space are four classrooms, two on each side. These rooms will be home to the Handwork, Woodwork and Music Programs. In addition, the fourth room will be for Administrative purposes, including the Business Office.

IV. Qualities and Values that Inspire a Love of Learning

Architects and designers consciously express values and qualities important to their clients through the design of a building. Hooper Hall expresses the following core values that live in the school, its curriculum, and the strivings of the teachers and staff.

   a. Clarity of Purpose

As one moves through the building, one knows where one is through the orientation to north and south. There are lower walls on north, and higher walls on south with large windows for natural light. The occupant is always oriented to the natural world, a metaphor for the value of being oriented in life. The windows in the eurythmy space are located above eye level, orienting the users gaze up and out, consciously supporting the eurythmy curriculum. The classroom spaces are light, clean and clear in their purpose. Skylights in the bathrooms, kitchen and vestibules bring in natural light and connect these more contained spaces to the outdoors. The building is straightforward, simple and clear, and communicative of its use. For example the water collection cisterns and gutters visible to all and are present for teaching purposes. In this way the building makes explicit the processes of life.

   b. Flexibility
From the wisdom of past experience and the experience of many schools, it is an important value to design new buildings for the possibility of multiple uses over the decades. The architect has taken into account many future use possibilities in designing Hooper Hall.

   c. Balance
Over the years, a long-term design plan for the campus has not yet been established. One of the results is a sense of imbalance and randomness in the campus. By designing the eurythmy space in the center of Hooper Hall and two wings extending out, a gesture of balance is created. Each one of the classrooms is flexibly designed for future use. Two rooms on either side of  the central eurythmy space create the most flexibility. Multiple paths for access between rooms have been designed for future uses. The eurythmy space serves as a symmetrical, centering space that holds a center place for the building.

   d. Metamorphosis as a Principle of Life
Hooper Hall includes design features of Steiner’s ideas about metamorphosis—Mother Nature’s grand design. Life and growth constantly change, moving from one phase to the next with reflections of the previous and soon-to-be phase always in the present phase. The whole is always greater than the sum of the parts. As an expression of this principle, some elements of the building change in response to other elements and functions. As an example, overhangs occur over the windows on the south side and then recede where there are no windows. Another example is how the rooms are sculpted with flow and harmony in mind. The architect has incorporated some of these gestures into the design within the context of the project cost constraints.

   e. Relationship of Outdoor and Indoor Space
On the exterior of the building the forms are rooted in the earth, with battered walls, and transition upward to the sky. The exterior color scheme supports this idea. The colors are earthy clay at the base and then moving upwards from eight feet, the walls have a soft sage grey-green color. The roof is galvanized and will look blue, reflecting the light of the sky. The earth, living world and sky are thus reflected in the exterior of the building. From every classroom the viewer can gaze out to the vistas of our landscape, the native trees and mountains, the clear blue sky and every changing cloud formations expressing our connection to the natural world.

V. Ecological and Energy Design Principles—LEEDs compliancy

The building is designed using sustainable principles and in compliance with the guidelines for LEEDs (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. However, we have chosen to save $30,000-50,000 by being compliant with LEEDs standards but not pursuing the formal certification process. The building is wood-framed on a concrete slab with stucco exterior and metal roof. Listed below are the measures we have incorporated in the design listed by LEEDs category.

Sustainable Site

--1.Construction Activity Pollution Prevention / General Contractor will enforce pollution prevention practices in excess of LEEDs standards. Below is an example of the job-site sign:

Notice to all Personnel

This building is being constructed as a healthy structure and will meet the requirements to qualify for a LEEDs Certification. Only the specified products and procedures may be used. Alternatives to specified materials must be approved in writing by the Owner and Architect prior to use. If in doubt, Contact John Rehders - General Contractor : 780 1114
The use of any toxic substances such as, fungicides, pesticides, or noxious cleaning products is prohibited anywhere on this site. Smoking within or near the building and any out buildings is strictly prohibited. No gasoline-generated machines or open combustion heaters shall be used inside or near the building after the foundation is completed. Spills of fuels, solvents, or chemicals must be avoided. If a spill occurs, report it immediately to the General Contractor.

--2.Site Selection Site is suitable for the anticipated use.

--3.Development Density & Community Connectivity The new building is on an existing developed site rather than raw land and takes advantage of existing parking and infra-structure.

--4.Alternative Transportation, Bicycle Storage Parking Capacity Bicycle parking will be provide and no additional parking is provided as the new building uses the existing parking capacity.

--5.Site Development, Protect or Restore Habitat Habitat around the building will be protected and new landscaping, watered by stored rainwater from the cisterns around the building, is included in the project.

--6.Site Development, Maximize Open Space The new building uses existing parking capacity and infra-structure.

--7.Stormwater Design, Quantity and Quality Control Most storm water run-off is kept on-site through the use of retention basins and what leaves is cleaned by bio-filtering methods.

---8.Heat Island Effect Hard paving is minimized and the roof is light-colored to reflect most heat.

--9.Light Pollution Reduction All outdoor lighting will be shielded to prevent night sky light pollution.

Water Efficiency
1.Water Efficient Landscaping All rain water falling on the roofs is captured by a catchment system of gutters and cisterns. The four cisterns each have a capacity of 3,000 gallons for a total capacity of 12,000 gallons. This is roughly equivalent to 3 inches of rainfall on the roof.

--2.Water Use Reduction Low flow dual flush toilets and waterless urinals are used.

Energy and Atmosphere
1.Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems Buildings systems are set up for optimal operation by a third party commissioning agent.

2.Minimum Energy Performance All systems meet minimum energy performance criteria.

3.Fundamental Refrigerant Management

4.Optimize Energy Performance Energy performance is optimized by passive solar heating, direct gain, natural ventilation requiring minimum use of forced air heating and air conditioning system. Hot water is provided by a tankless on-demand water heater.

5.Enhanced Refrigerant Management

6.Green Power Provision is made for future photovoltaic connection.

Materials and Resources
1.Storage & Collection of Recyclables A recycling shed is designed between the parking lot and the building.

2.Construction Waste Management Diversion of 75% of material to recycling from disposal. The concrete from the demolition of the existing basketball court will be recycled.

3.Recycled Content, 20% (post-consumer + ½ pre-consumer)

4.Regional Materials, 20% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally

5.Rapidly Renewable Materials Bamboo flooring and wheatgrass MDF

6.Certified Wood Certified or locally sourced framing material.

Indoor Environmental Quality
1.Minimum IAQ Performance

2.Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control Smoking is not allowed in the building or on campus.

3.Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring

4.Increased Ventilation. The building orients to the south for passive solar gain. Classrooms use natural day lighting, passive solar gain, and natural ventilation. The first goal is to not turn on the lights or the heating or cooling in the rooms. By designing the building one room deep, it is easy to ventilate directly from the outside in all rooms.

5.Construction IAQ Management Plan, During Construction IAQ=indoor air quality

6.Construction IAQ Management Plan, Before Occupancy

7.Low-Emitting Materials, Adhesives & Sealants

8.Low-Emitting Materials, Paints & Coatings non-VOC paint.

9.Low-Emitting Materials, Carpet Systems Recycling carpet tiles from old building.

10.Low-Emitting Materials, Composite Wood & Agrifiber Products

11.Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control

12.Controllability of Systems, Lighting: Lighting control systems are equipped with occupancy and daylight sensors that interact with daylight to optimize lighting level and quality and reduce energy consumption.

13.Controllability of Systems, Thermal Comfort: The building uses programmable thermostats to maximize efficiency and comfort.

14.Thermal Comfort, Design The building has three air handling units for flexibility and efficiency.

15.Daylight & Views All rooms have views and are illuminated by daylight.

Innovation and Design Process
1.Innovation in Design: Passive solar, natural daylight and natural ventilation employed.

2.LEED® Accredited Professional: LEEDs certified professional is consulting on materials and design for the project but will not apply for formal LEEDs certification.