James DeAnda Elementary School Replacement

Houston, TX

Mason Contractor: Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd.
Architect: Prozign Architects
General Contractor: Turner Construction Company
Suppliers: Headwaters Construction Materials ; Upchurch Kimbrough ; Siteworks, Inc.
Owner: Houston Independent School District

Wall System: Cavity Wall: Brick Veneer/Steel Stud

Project Description

The James DeAnda Elementary School is an 84,500sf replacement for the Mitchell Relief Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District. It includes 45 classrooms, 15 administrative offices, a cafeteria and food service facility, an auditorium and library. Outdoor recreational facilities include a playground, basketball pavilion/covered play area.

Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. supplied and installed 267,500 modular field brick, 29,150 modular accent brick, 7,700 4” x 8” x 16” split faced concrete masonry units, 1600 lightweight concrete masonry units, 375 4” x 8” x 8” glazed accent brick and 100lf of cast stone coping. The masonry scope is primarily a brick veneer with a split faced concrete masonry unit base over metal stud framing. The light weight cmu and cast stone coping are located on the mechanical yard enclosure.

There were several challenges associated with the construction of the school. The building occupies a large site and has multiple levels with roof off sets thus requiring good coordination with the precedent trades to ensure a steady and efficient flow of work. The brick work includes soldiers, arched soldiers and running bond accent bands with glazed brick accents interspersed in the field brick. The design calls for the bands to perfectly align with other building elements thus making the layout extremely important. Any bobbles or inaccuracies would be immediately seen. The end result is a very well executed masonry scope that is clean and crisp.

Date of Project Completion: November 2011

Photography by Richard Payne