EUTIMIO “TIM” SALAZAR III FAIRVIEW
REPLACEMENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Nestled in the heart of Española, New Mexico, ETS Fairview Elementary School replaces and modernizes an aging campus to serve 420 students in grades K–6. The Española Public School District’s vision for this project was to create a warm, safe, and community-centered learning environment that reflects the city’s close-knit culture and family values. The modernization add 36,000 sf of newly constructed space, and transforms 11,000 sf of outdated rural campus into a vibrant educational hub that supports the district’s mission for equitable, healthy, and dynamic learning spaces.

Our design approach identified the site’s challenges—limited expansion capacity, scattered portable classrooms, and difficult supervision lines—and turned them into opportunities for unity and visibility. A comprehensive assessment and collaborative programming process with the district and the PSFA established clear goals: consolidate the campus, improve safety and circulation, and provide modern, daylight-filled classrooms that meet contemporary adequacy standards. The resulting design organizes new and renovated spaces into a cohesive linear composition that draws inspiration from the surrounding neighborhood’s varied forms and colors.

The new classroom wing houses kindergarten classrooms, a media center, administrative suite, and an enlarged, efficient kitchen. The renovated 2000 classroom building and multi-purpose gymnasium are seamlessly integrated with these additions to create a single, coherent campus. The gymnasium now doubles as a community venue with seating for 450, supporting family gatherings, performances, and athletic events—underscoring the school’s role as a civic anchor. A new secure front entrance and central lobby provide a welcoming, monitored entry point that strengthens both safety and identity.

Environmental performance guided many design decisions. Located at 5,500 feet in the high desert, the school faces extreme temperature shifts and intense solar exposure. SMPC conducted a life cycle cost analysis that identified a ground-source heat pump system as the most efficient long-term solution. Installed beneath the adjacent parking lot, this system leverages stable underground temperatures to provide decades of low-maintenance heating and cooling. Each classroom features individual zone control for comfort and efficiency. The building envelope employs reflective metal panels, high-performance glazing, a TPO roof, and continuous insulation to mitigate solar gain. Daylighting strategies—including clerestories, light shelves, and well-placed view windows—reduce the need for artificial light while connecting students to the outdoors.

Inside, the media center forms the intellectual and social heart of the school, designed as a bright, flexible environment for collaboration, reading, and research. Durable, low-VOC finishes, efficient storage, and thoughtful adjacencies foster functionality and comfort. Distinct play areas for younger and older students, improved pedestrian and vehicular circulation, and landscape enhancements—including preserved mature cottonwoods—contribute to a cohesive, safe, and uplifting campus experience.

ETS Fairview Elementary School embodies SMPC’s commitment to creating learning environments that elevate both education and community life. The design celebrates Española’s culture of family and togetherness while delivering a modern, energy-efficient facility that supports future generations of learners.

Photography by Patrick Coulie Photography.