KWAME provided construction managmenet/owner rep services on the new 65,000-square-foot Barack Obama Elementary School in Pine Lawn, Missouri, in St. Louis County. The school was named by students from Garfield Elementary and Pine Lawn Elementary Schools, which it replaces.

Architectural features include a two-story lobby and a main corridor with clerestory glass that floods the hallways and classrooms with natural light. The building also includes administrative and nursing offices, teacher preparation rooms, storage rooms, kitchen, utility and janitorial spaces.

The state-of-the-art school features a two-story classroom wing with 26 classrooms to accommodate up to 400 students. Kindergarten through second grades on the ground floor have direct access to an outdoor classroom and playground. Third through sixth grades, two science labs and an art studio are on the second floor. A vocal rehearsal room and band room with operable wall opens to the cafetorium, a combined cafeteria and auditorium, for performances.

ADA accessible cafetorium, library, gymnasium, computer lab and meeting rooms are located at the front of the school for convenient access from parking and drop-off areas.

The gymnasium includes a basketball court, volleyball court, and 30-station computer lab available for adult education and other district and community programs. The cafetorium and library also are available for community use.