Western Grove K-8 EHPA Supports Student Safety, Published in School Construction News

Spiezle Architectural Group Principal Steven G. Siegel, AIA, LEED AP, and Principal Anthony Donadio, AIA, NCARB, discuss the firm’s design process and approach for the Port St. Lucie Prototype Campus auditoria with School Construction News. This renovation project involved updating the structure with modern technology and features to not only meet the school’s needs but also serve as an Enhanced Hurricane Protection Area (EHPA).

“The design team collaborated with emergency management officials to refine the design look and feel,” Siegel says. “This ensured the aesthetics would accomplish the school district’s goals while making this a more inviting shelter environment. Having worked on other EHPA projects in facilities—such as gyms, cafeterias and multi-purpose rooms—we’ve learned the importance of coordinating with emergency management professionals and school district personnel early on.”

Siegel explains how various design strategies and materials are used in EHPA buildings and Spiezle often exceeds code requirements while being mindful of client budgets so that projects stand the test of time and intense weather. Student safety measures, structural resilience, and aesthetically pleasing features are all implemented to make a building and campus secure in the event of a crisis and a visually pleasing place for everyday use.

For example, Siegel notes that, “the design process balanced making the auditoria look and feel from the exterior structural and interior design as an aesthetically pleasing place versus a drab shelter. Spiezle Architectural Group then enhanced the structure to withstand wind loads of up to 184 miles per hour (mph), installed standalone emergency generators for backup power, and further hardened the structure to meet Florida building codes and Florida Department of Education State Requirements for Educational Facilities (SREF).”

“Spiezle’s design for Western Grove K-8 builds on the extensive history shared between us and the school district, as we continue to evolve and modernize our prototypes, while creating a model that is easily replicable at other future school sites throughout the district,” said Anthony Donadio. “This new school will provide students in Port St. Lucie with a safe, clean, and forward-thinking facility that will suit their needs for many years to come.”

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