DOC_Narrative_MMSC_DES
20024-01_MMSC_Narrative DES.docx
LOMBARD CONRAD ARCHITECTS, P.C. | lombardconrad.com Ernest J. Lombard (Retired) & Joe Ed Conrad (Retired) | FOUNDING PARTNERS
472 W. Washington St. | Boise, ID | 83702 | O: 208.345.6677 Alexis Townsend, Casey Huse, Ken Gallegos, Mark Heazle, Tom Scofield | PRINCIPALS
May 6, 2021
Community Development
Planning Division
The City of Meridian, Idaho
33 E. Broadway Avenue, Ste. 102
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Re: DES - PROJECT NARRATIVE
MERIDIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA ADDITION
L/C PROJECT NO. 20024.01 04d
Dear Planning Supervisor(s),
West Ada School District is seeking approval to construct a cafeteria addition to the Meridian Middle School.
The addition is proposed as an in-fill between three existing structures - the cafeteria/band/choir building,
the maintenance building, and the main classroom building, as well as a renovation to the existing cafeteria
space. The addition portion of the project, roughly 7,525 sf, includes a new entry vestibule and hall that ties
in with the existing main classroom building; a new cafeteria seating space; a new cafeteria kitchen similar
in size to other West Ada Middle schools, complete with dry storage, walk-in freezer/cooler, dishwashing
room, and an office along with a restroom. The addition incorporates a new Mechanical/Fire Riser/Electric
Room, and IT/Data Room accessed from the exterior and through the existing cafeteria space. The addition
is built to serve the needs of the existing student population. No new classrooms or additional students will
be added as part of this project. The project also includes a small renovation within the existing cafeteria
building - replacing the original kitchen with a block of men and women student restrooms, and handwash
stations outside each. The existing restrooms will be remodeled into one staff and one single-use restroom.
Finishes will be updated in the existing cafeteria seating space, along with the adjoining hallway.
A Conditional Use Permit Application was submitted along with required attachments on April 23, 2021, A
Planning and Zoning Commission Hearing on the project is scheduled for June 3, 2021.
Structurally, the project will incorporate new foundations at new construction, with a 4” slab on grade, and
a 4” separation joint between the new addition and the existing buildings. Walls will consist of cold formed
metal stud framing and masonry bearing walls. Roof construction will consist of open web steel joist framing
with metal deck. Special inspections will be required. The new addition will be fully sprinklered along with
the existing cafeteria building and the existing maintenance/drama building. Existing Main/Auditorium
building is currently sprinklered. Roof top equipment will be used for HVAC systems. Roof top equipment
will be situated above the new single story kitchen roof behind the existing two-story maintenance/drama
building to screen equipment from view. Project includes electrical and fire alarm work in the new addition
and renovated spaces in the existing cafeteria building.
CUP Project Narrative May 6, 2021
20024.01 Meridian Middle School Cafeteria Addition Page 2
20024-01_MMSC_Narrative DES.docx
LOMBARD CONRAD ARCHITECTS, P.C. | lombardconrad.com Ernest J. Lombard (Retired) & Joe Ed Conrad (Retired) | FOUNDING PARTNERS
472 W. Washington St. | Boise, ID | 83702 | O: 208.345.6677 Alexis Townsend, Casey Huse, Ken Gallegos, Mark Heazle, Tom Scofield | PRINCIPALS
Tree Mitigation
Total trees removed : 2 trees
Total trees proposed : 7 trees
Total Calipers required for mitigation : 18”
Total Calipers proposed : 19”
See attached Landscape plans.
City of Meridian Architectural Standards Manual
1. Architectural Character
· Cohesive Design
The addition seeks to be cohesive with the existing adjacent buildings, by using gray color CMU
exterior walls (in a different but complimentary shade of gray) and using blue metal panel, similar
to the existing metal roof panels. Fiber Cement wall panels along with glass storefront will be used
to define the entry at the exterior. The body of the addition ties directly into the existing buildings
so that one does not directly differentiate the old from the new. The height and continuation of
building elements on the facades and roof reinforce this.
· Scale
The scale of the building matches the existing height of the adjacent single-story classroom building
to the south and the two-story maintenance building to the north. Covered walkways and entries
provide not only shelter, but a sense of human scale.
· Building Form
The building form matches and ties in with the existing buildings by mimicking and continuing
massing elements such as the sloped roof and parapet style of the existing adjacent buildings. The
sloped entry at the entrance is nestled between the higher existing auditorium volume and the
existing two-story maintenance building creating a ‘link’ between the facades that is distinct in form
but evokes reference to the existing building massing. The parapet at the cafeteria side, continues
the vertical metal panel element at the existing one-story classroom structure west of the
auditorium.
· Architectural elements
The canopies create visual interest with their overhangs and recesses in providing shadow and
contrast along the facades. The cafeteria seating area connects directly with the outdoors on
campus side, nestling into the core of the building complex.
· Materials
There are two existing CMU colors in the main building – a medium gray split face CMU and a light
gray smooth face CMU accent. The addition will incorporate a gray color split face CMU block in
the same range as existing color. The gray fiber cement panel at the entrance, provides an accent
in the material palette while not straying from the existing colors. New roofing will match the existing
blue seamed metal roofing, with new coping at parapet walls to match the blue color as well.
Storefront framing will be anodized aluminum finish and hollow metal doors will be painted to match
CUP Project Narrative May 6, 2021
20024.01 Meridian Middle School Cafeteria Addition Page 3
20024-01_MMSC_Narrative DES.docx
LOMBARD CONRAD ARCHITECTS, P.C. | lombardconrad.com Ernest J. Lombard (Retired) & Joe Ed Conrad (Retired) | FOUNDING PARTNERS
472 W. Washington St. | Boise, ID | 83702 | O: 208.345.6677 Alexis Townsend, Casey Huse, Ken Gallegos, Mark Heazle, Tom Scofield | PRINCIPALS
existing off-white color doors. Insulated glazing (gray and clear 1” insulated glazing) will be used
that is not reflective.
The ratios of building materials on the addition are as follows:
CMU Block – 35% (2,111 sf)
Seamed Metal – 29% (1,740 sf)
Glass – 19% (1,135 sf)
Fiber Cement Panels – 16% (976 sf)
Hollow Metal Doors – 1% (76 sf)
· Signs/Lighting
The building entry includes a feature wall with signage. Exterior lighting in new addition will occur
under the covered entryways and above doors. The project scope does not pertain to any site
lighting.
2. Parking Lots
The project does not affect the existing parking of the school, as the occupancy of the building is not
growing, and parking will remain as is. The addition provides a much-needed facility improvement to serve
the existing student population.
3. Pedestrian walkways and facilities
Pedestrian pathways on the Middle School campus also remain mostly unaffected. New paving will be
added at the new vestibule entry to the building, as well as improvements in the courtyard space at the
south of the project tying into the existing pathways in the campus.
Sincerely,
Lombard/Conrad Architects
______________________________
Priya Raman
Project Architect