Immersing students in a sustainable and thoughtfully designed building

Ann Arbor Public Schools - New Thurston Elementary School

Ann Arbor Public Schools wanted to build a new Thurston Elementary School on the existing site and also wanted the current building to remain operational during construction. They reached out to our team to provide architectural and engineering services for this project.

Demolition and construction will be performed in phases. The new building will be located on the north side of the site, while the existing building on the south side will only be demolished after the new building is in use.

Our design for the new school prioritizes student safety and reduces congestion and school related traffic for the adjacent neighborhoods. Blending cohesively with the surrounding neighborhood and environment, the school will promote collaboration and outdoor learning, featuring three outdoor classrooms and three inclusive playgrounds.

The new Thurston Elementary School will immerse students in a sustainable and thoughtfully designed building based on the principles of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS). This green building program integrates national standards and best practices for healthy, high-performance schools. The school is pursuing the highest level of recognition for K-12 schools—CHPS Verified Leader certification.

Some of the features we’re incorporating include biophilic design principles as well as geothermal system, rooftop solar panels, and infrastructure prepared for an all-electric system to significantly reduce operational emissions. The use of structural cross-laminated timber (CLT) will lower embodied carbon while contributing to a warm, natural interior environment. Strategic building orientation and high-performance glazing will increase daylight and outdoor views in learning spaces, while healthy, low-emitting interior materials will support indoor air quality and student well-being.

When complete, the two-story, four-section school will accommodate 550 students in pre-K through fifth grade.