Portland - General contractor Emerick Construction Co. has completed the finishing touches at the new Clackamas River Elementary School in Estacada, Ore. Emerick has also completed extensive renovations at the adjacent Estacada Junior High School.

Clackamas River Elementary, with its wood structure and brick façade, has high, vaulted ceilings that feature exposed, wooden beams and allow for natural light to flood the entire building.

The original Estacada Grade School was demolished to make way for the new Clackamas River Elementary. Historical mementos from the original school have been incorporated into the new school, including blue and gold medallions that now adorn the brick walls inside and out and colorful tile mosaics made by grade school students last year that now decorate the hallways. The original "Estacada Grade School" sign is being restored and will be mounted inside the lobby.

While the Junior High School's exterior has retained its traditional appearance, a new two-story classroom addition has been constructed and extensive interior remodeling has occurred throughout the school. A comprehensive seismic upgrade of the entire facility has brought the building up to current structural standards.

The auditorium, located near the front of the school, retains its original classic look, but has received a modernization overhaul. Crews redesigned the configuration of the walls for better acoustics, the stage has been rebuilt and the original seats have been refurbished.

Work at the two schools, which are located on a shared site, also included the development of new ball fields and play areas.

Emerick teamed with the Estacada School District, Selig/Lee/Rueda, AIA, and Milstead & Associates on this $14 million project.

Tacoma Architecture Firm Gains International Acclaim

Tacoma - Helix Architecture, based here, was awarded a Silver Medal during the recent convention of the International Academy of Architecture, "InterArch 2003" in Sofia, Bulgaria. Helix Architecture was one of two U.S. firms to win an award in the design exhibition/competition, which included 223 entries from a total of 21 countries Helix's awarded project, which was designed by Alex Protasevich, included floor plans, elevations, building sections and a computer generated 3-D model for the Children's Theater of Salt Lake in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The project received the award in the category, "Building Projects" for the "Artistry of the Design."

The International Academy of Architecture's convention and competition, held triennially, began in 1981 when a group of French and Bulgarian architects conceived the idea of an international organization where architects from many countries could learn from each other. The educational aspect of the convention gives architects an opportunity to compare how the rules in different countries affect design and architectural practice.