KIPP Columbus | Battelle Environmental Center

New STEM Facility | Columbus, Ohio

The new Battelle Environmental Center at KIPP Columbus serves as an educational space for students, a gateway to the natural environment, and a visitor center to celebrate students achievements and introduce other groups to KIPP’s natural resources.

The building sits on a hillside between the middle and high school buildings on the campus, and overlooks the sweeping landscape. A solid wall with a central glass entrance leads to a gallery space with workshops to either side. A large glass wall faces the landscape to the east and leads to the Environmental Loop, a walking path with platform waystations at 7 unique zones: the pond, the grasslands, the hollow, the Cottonwood, the forest edge, the council of trees, and the brook.

View of building at night with bright lights coming from school, and grass to the left with dark trees behind
Students sat around tables in large square formation with large windows looking out to field behind
Side angle view of school at dusk with bright yellow lights coming from within, and blue purple hazy sky behind
Floor plan of first floor
Wall with light colored wood with entrance to area with chairs
Alternating side plans for site
Tables arranged in a large square with large windows looking out to field on the left
Aerial view master plan
View from pathway looking out to building with trees on both sides
Site section

Project Information

Time Span 2015–2017

Type New STEM Center

Client KIPP Columbus

Size 5,350 square feet

Cost $2.4 million

Design Team David Croteau, Principal-in-Charge; Kelley Banks, Project Manager

Consultants The Olin Studio (Landscape Architect); EDGE (Landscape Architect); Jezerinac Geers & Associates (Structural Engineer); Korda/Nemeth Engineering (MEP Engineer); EMH&T (Civil Engineer); LAB [3.2] Architecture (Interior Architect)

General Contractor The Daimler Group, Inc.

Photographer Matthew Millman

Awards AIA Virginia Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture (2018)

 

BSA Educational Facilities Design Awards (2019)

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KIPP Columbus | Battelle Environmental Center

New STEM Facility

The new Battelle Environmental Center at KIPP Columbus serves as an educational space for students, a gateway to the natural environment, and a visitor center to celebrate students achievements and introduce other groups to KIPP’s natural resources.

Alternating side plans for site
View of building at night with bright lights coming from school, and grass to the left with dark trees behind
Aerial view master plan
Students sat around tables in large square formation with large windows looking out to field behind
Floor plan of first floor
Students sat around tables in large square formation with large windows looking out to field on the left
Side angle view of school at dusk with bright yellow lights coming from within, and blue purple hazy sky behind
View from grass area looking through trees to school at dusk
Time Span 2015–2017
Type New STEM Center
Client KIPP Columbus
Size 5,350 square feet
Cost $2.4 million
Design Team David Croteau, Principal-in-Charge; Kelley Banks, Project Manager
Consultants The Olin Studio (Landscape Architect); EDGE (Landscape Architect); Jezerinac Geers & Associates (Structural Engineer); Korda/Nemeth Engineering (MEP Engineer); EMH&T (Civil Engineer); LAB [3.2] Architecture (Interior Architect)
General Contractor The Daimler Group, Inc.
Photographer Matthew Millman
Awards

AIA Virginia Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture (2018)

BSA Educational Facilities Design Awards (2019)