Desert Canyons Elementary School

Desert Canyons Elementary School is situated in beautiful southern Utah’s desert landscape. The school was designed and constructed to highlight and complement this desert landscape with its integral color and appropriate architectural expression. Using the best construction method for the area, the school was constructed to include a high-energy performance building and envelop that is long-lasting and durable. There will be virtually no need for maintenance on the building in the future due to the use of tilt-up concrete. This project is a repeat of a prototype design that has been used many times in the Washington County School District. The use of concrete tilt-up panels permitted us to make important modifications to the prototype design without significantly impacting structural, mechanical, or electrical systems. For instance, the panels in the halls were increased in height to accommodate a reversal in roof slope from what had been done in previous builds of the prototype. Although the change significantly impacted available space above the hallway ceilings it did not create significant changes to the structural design. This would not have been the case with other building materials. This project shows that concrete is a flexible and accommodating product.