On the Boards
PLEASANT RIDGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL
LEED PROJECT
New Facility
Cincinnati, OH
| Owner | Cincinnati Public Schools |
| Size | 75,310 gsf (est) |
| Completed | Fall 2008 |
KEY STRUCTURAL CHALLENGE
- GOP dealt with the challenges of a very tight site and the location of the building relative to the adjacent roadway, which required significant structure design of building foundations. The total access floor system created significant coordination issues. Specific challenges included using the framing layout for clear, open and large classroom spaces, designing flooring layout to accommodate raised floor HVAC system, and creating structural support for masonry and glass light-well entry, The solution used a counterfort retaining wall system to limit deflections of backfilled wall.
STRUCTURE The two- and three-level, two-wing structure sits upon shallow spread footings, with masonry bearing walls and bar joist floor and roof systems.
FACILITIES The building includes large, Montessori type classrooms, library, gymnasium, auditorium, cafeteria and other common areas. The school is the first LEED-certified public school facility in the state of Ohio.
