Grand Rapids Public Schools Aberdeen Elementary School Schematic Design Narratives - Schematic Design Narrative

Oct 28, 2026

Grand Rapids Public Schools plans a new Aberdeen Elementary School in Michigan to consolidate Aberdeen Academy and Palmer Elementary Schools into a modern PK-5 campus for about 450 scholars. The two-story, 63,000-square-foot facility will be built on the existing site while operations continue, supported by a Facilities Master Plan focused on effective, efficient, and equitable outcomes. The schematic design narrative documents project purpose, stakeholder input, design criteria, SD logic and decisions, and how SD outcomes guide subsequent design development and construction submittals, including systems and LEED sustainability goals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages90

Reading Time3 h 47 min

AccessFree to download

Schematic Design Narrative Introduction

Architectural Design Narrative

Background

Code Narrative

Site & Landscape Design Narrative

Structural Engineering Narrative

Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing Narrative

Technology & Security Narrative

Food Service Narrative

Acoustic Narrative

Sustainability Narrative

433 E Ransom St Kalamazoo, MI | Schematic Design Narrative | | --- | | GRPS Aberdeen Elementary School | | Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grand Rapids, MI
Final SD Set: Jan 31, 2025 | Architect of Record Specifications Construction Administration Wightman Design Architect/ Engineer Landscape Architect Acoustics DLR Group Structural Consultant Structural Associates Inc. Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing Matrix Consulting Engineers, Inc Food Service Reitano Design Group Technology & Security Communications by Design Sustainability Catalyst Grand Rapids Public Schools Aberdeen Elementary School Schematic Design Narratives TABLE OF CONTENTS SCHEMATIC DESIGN NARRATIVE INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 2 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN NARRATIVE ..................................................................................................... 3 CODE NARRATIVE ................................................................................................................................... 20 SITE & LANDSCAPE DESIGN NARRATIVE................................................................................................ 24 STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING NARRATIVE .............................................................................................. 50 MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL / PLUMBING NARRATIVE ......................................................................... 55 TECHNOLOGY & SECURITY NARRATIVE ................................................................................................. 68 FOOD SERVICE NARRATIVE .................................................................................................................... 71 ACOUSTIC NARRATIVE ........................................................................................................................... 73 SUSTAINABILITY NARRATIVE ................................................................................................................. 82 Grand Rapids Public Schools Aberdeen Elementary School Schematic Design Narratives SCHEMATIC DESIGN NARRATIVE INTRODUCTION The new Aberdeen Elementary School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is envisioned as a modern, efficient, and inspiring educational facility to consolidate the current Aberdeen Academy and Palmer Elementary Schools. Serving 450 scholars in grades PK-5, the two-story structure, with a gross floor area of 63,000 square feet, will be constructed on the existing Aberdeen site while keeping the current school operational during construction. This project represents a significant investment in the community’s educational future, offering a state-of-the-art learning environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and growth. This project is part of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Facilities Master Plan with the goal to ensure that school resources are streamlined toward scholar achievement. The Facility Master Plan will invest, enhance, upgrade and revitalize the school facilities to serve the scholars of the Grand Rapids Public Schools in more effective, efficient, and equitable ways. The design process has sought feedback on the educational facility programming and schematic design options from many stakeholders including the Facilities and Operations team, the Academic Team, including school principals, educators, department leaders, community members, and representatives of the City of Grand Rapids, such as the Engineering Department, Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, and Planning departments. The Schematic Design Phase will include tours of other state of the art facilities and community meetings to seek further input from parents, scholars and other community members. The Schematic Design Narrative is the next step in the design and construction process. It is a description of the project, based on the visioning process, to expedite the preparation and review of the Sc

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Schematic Design Narrative for the Aberdeen Elementary School project?

It communicates the scope of work required for construction to the school district, the Construction Manager, and cost estimators, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget alignment with SD phase outcomes.

How does the project plan to keep the school operational during construction?

Construction will occur on the existing Aberdeen site while the current school remains operational throughout the project period.

What major design topics are documented in the schematic design phase?

The SD phase documents interior and exterior concept size and space locations, construction type, general MEP systems, technology systems characteristics, and sustainability goals intended to achieve LEED certification.

Oct 28, 2026

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