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/ BUILDING DIALOGUE / DECEMBER 2015
The large expanses of south-facing windows capitalize on solar heat gain in win-
ter and also are equipped with large overhangs and shading devices to reduce the
heat produced in the summer. Classroom spaces are located along the north side
of the building to reduce fall and spring heat gain and to provide ideal daylight-
ing in the classrooms. Radiant floor heating throughout the building, along with
highly insulated exterior walls, makes the school welcoming on winter days. The
community’s focus on energy efficiency and environmentally responsible solutions
has earned a LEED Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Destiny Rude is one of the students who wrote to RTA about her experience of the
new school’s passive heating and cooling system. “Seeing the sun come through the
wall windows in the morning is a constant reminder of how efficient the building
is. I find it really great that the school is environmentally friendly, but I’m sure the
people who pay the bills are even happier.” She added, “The allergens in the air are
much less noticeable compared to the old school, whichmeans nomore headaches.”
Their new state-of-the-art school inspires teachers as well as students. The new
vocational/techincal space has inspired the art and VoTec teachers to collaborate
to offer a different type of teaching in order to utilize the building’s full potential.
“Our new home has had an incredible effect on our students and staff. The sense of
belonging that was created by this building has and continues to make an immea-
surable impact,” said Kirk Banghart superintendent of Moffat Consolidated School
District No. 2.
Receiving such sincere feedback from the students at Moffat punctuates for RTA
Architects the importance of using a collaborative approach with each school, com-
munity and design team – where all voices influence the final building. This is the
most rewarding part of each school project.
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Photos courtesy David Lauer
OPENING PHOTO:
Moffat School interior corridor
ABOVE LEFT:
Student letters thank
the design team.
ABOVE RIGHT:
The Moffat School entry features
metal panels and glass.
BOTTOM RIGHT:
The school features passive two-
story heating and cooling strategies.
PROJECT TEAM
ARCHITECTS OF RECORD:
RTA Architects and
Wold Architects Engineers
GENERAL CONTRACTOR:
Diesland Haslenden Construction
CIVIL ENGINEER:
JVA Consulting Engineers
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER:
HCDA Engineering
M/E/P ENGINEER:
M.E. Group
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:
DHM Design
/ Love Letters from the Students /
