West View Elementary School, North Hills School District

Originally built as a Junior High School in 1925, North Hills School District’s West View Elementary School is a three-story building that has had a few additions over the years and now serves 400+ students in Pittsburgh. As the first school in the country built to house grades 7, 8, & 9; additions were made in 1938 to make room for grades 10, 11, and 12. The building became the West View Elementary School in 1989.
The school building was in need of renovations as well as an expansion in order to provide adequate space for the students and to provide environments that meet next-generation learning pedagogy. The building is now 113,000SF and has a two-story addition along the front façade that provides new Administration, Nurse and Classroom spaces on the first floor; and Classrooms and expanded Library space on the second floor. The renovation includes a central atrium stairwell to provide an open and inviting connection between all three floors. On the lower level, the kitchen received new equipment, along with a small addition to provide adequate space for the cooking staff.
New cabinetry, finishes, and toilet room renovations serve the primary grade levels in the newly renovated existing building. Building updates in the specials areas of the building include complete interior renovations to the computer lab, art and music classrooms. The library was expanded and now has a dedicated STEAM classroom directly adjacent to the Library and centrally located in the building.
Under a separate construction contract that took place simultaneously, other renovations include new HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, updated technology, and a new roof and windows. A green roof has been provided over a part of the new addition. Site improvements include a revised bus drop-off area to reduce roadway traffic and new hard and soft play areas.