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Partnership Together Update
I
n 2008, IC commissioned Flans-
burgh Architects, a widely recognized
Boston-based architectural firm
specializing in the programming, planning,
and design of academic, civic, and residen-
tial projects, to design IC’s new elementary
school buildings - the first buildings in
Lebanon to be LEED certified, with a Gold
rating.The construction of the
new elementary school buildings
will be completed in 2012.
One of the original designers is
Flansburgh’s current president,
David Croteau.
Q:Why did you choose this de-
sign for the elementary school?
What are the main elements?
Why choose three buildings
instead of one?
A:
The design of the new el-
ementary school was shaped by a
strong desire to preserve the pat-
tern of green space and limestone
buildings on campus. If designed
as one building, the elementary
school would be substantially
larger than other buildings on
campus. There are four reasons it
was divided into three buildings:
1) to match the small size of the
existing buildings; 2) to provide
outdoor courtyards and green
spaces between the buildings
(like the existing campus); 3) to
provide a stand-alone auditorium
and gymnasium building that
can be used by the upper school
and middle school without hav-
ing to go through the elementary
school and 4) to provide daylight and views
to every educational space.
Q:What were the challenges you faced in
designing the new buildings?
A:
The biggest challenge of the project was
dealing with the steep slope and significant
change in elevation across the site.The new
elementary school accommodates multiple
entrances at multiple levels providing ac-
cessibility from the upper portions of cam-
pus to its lower portions.The desire to keep
as much of the campus green space as pos-
sible was also a challenge.This resulted in a
very limited site area. The new elementary
school utilizes rooftops as playgrounds to
provide ample playground space.
Q:What challenges are you facing in
implementing your design?
A:
The design and construction team in
Beirut handle the implementation of our
design. Our local partner, Khatib & Alami,
prepared construction documents that ac-
curately conveyed our design intent to the
builder. Khatib & Alami is also providing
construction supervision to ensure that the
new school is constructed in accordance with
the drawings. D.G. Jones & Partners has
been retained as the Project Manager and
has monitored the project costs and project
schedule. And MAN Enterprise,
the builder, has been exceedingly
responsive and eager to comply
with our design ideas. At each
visit, the pace of construction
and the collaborative spirit that
accompanies our conversations
significantly minimizes the chal-
lenges we face.
Q: How often do you come to
Lebanon to “check up” on the
work?
A: We have been back to Leba-
non two times to “check up” on
the work and expect to return at
least three more times before the
work is completed. We are also
in contact with Khatib & Alami,
D.G. Jones, and International
College via email when issues
that need our attention arise.
Q:What is your future vision
for IC campus?
A: We imagine the IC campus as
a group of moderately sized lime-
stone buildings set in a garden
landscape stepping down a hillside
with views to the Mediterra-
nean Sea. The buildings include
historic structures that maintain
IC’s heritage and new buildings
that look to a promising future. New and
restored buildings will provide state-of-
the-art educational facilities that support a
world-class international education.These
new facilities include a new middle school,
preschool, library, theatre, gymnasium, and
administration building. We also see the
campus as a model of sustainability with a
strong appreciation for its park-like setting
and a commitment to conserving precious
natural resources.
over
Issue #3 | February 2012
Q
&
A
with
David Croteau