By Tony Bouquot

When Kelly Leid, co-founder of (STEAD) in Commerce City, Colo., had to construct five buildings in four years to launch a new, $32.3 million charter school, he chose custom-engineered metal buildings by for several reasons. Having successfully used this technology for other building projects, he knew that metal buildings offered a streamlined construction process and were flexible, adaptable, durable and easy to maintain.

Streamlined Construction

The fact that STEAD鈥檚 capital campaign began shortly before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made developing a multi-phase schedule mandatory. After Leid secured a 10-acre site donation, a $2.75 million construction grant, and $1 million in in-kind entitlement and site preparation services, STEAD still needed to obtain private loans to cover the majority of construction costs.

鈥淭he main lender, Vectra Bank, agreed to fund construction of the three academic buildings鈥擝uildings 1, 2 and 3鈥攁s long as we hit specific attendance numbers,鈥� Leid explained. 鈥淯sing metal buildings streamlined the project delivery process, making this phased approach easier to manage. The metal building components could be fabricated for each building while permitting was underway and then shipped to the site on a just-in-time basis. Crews could rapidly assemble the steel structure and enclose each building. Fewer trades were needed on site, so less time (and money) was spent on project coordination.鈥�

Later, when STEAD鈥檚 authorizing school district (J27) gave the school $10 million, STEAD鈥檚 leaders closed out its private loans and refinanced its debt. This process provided enough capital to build the Cultivate Center. The fifth building, the Danton Wirth Soils and Seed Lab, was donated by the project鈥檚 metal building manufacturer, Sunward Steel Buildings, to honor the company鈥檚 founder. Thus, STEAD鈥檚 first five campus buildings were completed before the first class of students graduated in May 2025.

Buildings Promote Educational Flexibility

STEAD鈥檚 co-founders knew the student-led, science-based learning model they鈥檇 developed would challenge the traditional lecture-based approach to STEM education鈥攁nd that it would have an impact on the design of the school鈥檚 built environment.

鈥淲e wanted to collapse the idea of what high school has been by empowering students to experiment, collaborate and do big things,鈥� Leid said.

For example, instead of conventional classrooms that have desks organized in rows facing forward, the learning spaces in STEAD鈥檚 academic buildings are wide open with soaring ceilings and abundant natural light.

Using metal building technology made constructing these tall, clear-span spaces possible. Students and teachers have the flexibility they need to arrange moveable furniture based on what is occurring within the lab-like spaces. The vaulted ceilings provide direct access to light fixtures, ductwork and other building system components, making these easy to maintain and repair.

Adaptability Promotes Intentional Culture

According to Leid, using metal buildings also helped STEAD leaders develop 鈥渁n intentional culture鈥� unique to this next-gen charter school. The first three academic buildings were designed to have 鈥渉ard shells with soft middles鈥� so that their interiors could be adapted to incorporate knowledge gained from experience and observations.

鈥淲e completed the first academic building without input from faculty or students because they didn鈥檛 exist yet,鈥� Leid said. 鈥淲e changed the interior layouts of Buildings 2 and 3 based on what we learned after Building 1 was occupied. For example, we reduced the amount of space for hallways and increased the size of learning areas. We also reconfigured spaces to make it easier to move produce from an adjacent production greenhouse to the teaching kitchen in Building 3.鈥�

Cristian Manzur, senior design engineer for Sunward, pointed out that using metal buildings also made it easier to meet more rigorous code requirements.

鈥淏uilding 1 was permitted under local codes but Buildings 2 and 3 were permitted by state code officials,鈥� Manzur explained. 鈥淪o, for example, the insulation requirements were more stringent for the second two academic buildings. Fortunately, metal building technology accommodates a double layer of insulation for both roof and walls.鈥�

By combining exterior insulation with cavity insulation, engineers were able to update the design and achieve the higher U-value required by the 2021 IECC energy code. This double-layer system increases energy efficiency and offers better performance over varying temperatures.

Durability, Responsiveness and Sustainability

When Leid was the he said the district鈥檚 goal was to construct buildings that would last 100 years. While durability and longevity remain important, school buildings must be able to respond to rapid changes in educational models and methods.

鈥淪TEAD鈥檚 buildings鈥攊f they are well-maintained鈥攚ill last 50+ years,鈥� Leid noted. 鈥淗owever, we can recalibrate the built interiors, move partition walls, update technology and make other changes within their hard exterior edges as new needs arise.鈥�

Metal buildings鈥� durability and low maintenance requirements contribute to their longevity. They can be designed to withstand extreme weather conditions such as earthquakes and winds of up to 170 mph. Metal doesn鈥檛 support mold growth, rust or decay and (since it doesn鈥檛 contain cellulose or other plant materials) metal doesn鈥檛 attract termites, woodboring beetles or other pests. Metal is nonporous with a smooth surface that doesn鈥檛 absorb liquids or accumulate (hold) dirt and grime, meaning metal surfaces can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water. Protective coatings also resist corrosion, fading or discoloration and require less-frequent painting than other cladding materials.

The high tensile strength of metal roofs has been especially important for STEAD鈥檚 new Animal Science Center, which is designed to operate 鈥渙ff grid.鈥� The building鈥檚 metal roof has been custom engineered to meet Colorado鈥檚 rigorous snow load requirements while supporting a full solar array that will generate electricity and feed it into a direct-current microgrid system. Using renewable energy will reduce operational costs while providing students who are studying environmental sciences to learn about sustainable technologies.

Praiseworthy Results

In 2022, Leid and STEAD cofounder, Amy Schwartz, were awarded the on behalf of this 鈥渇uture-ready, next-generation, agriculturally grounded charter school.鈥� For Leid, however, the true measure of success has been the positive comments he鈥檚 received from staff, faculty and students.

鈥淭he kids and teachers stay on campus after the end of the school day,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey love being there. This is a place where they feel welcome and inspired.鈥�

Tony Bouquot is general manager of the Metal Building Manufacturer鈥檚 Association.

The post The STEAD School Constructs Five Metal Buildings in Four Years to Launch its Award-Winning Education Model appeared first on 糖心少女.

The post The STEAD School Constructs Five Metal Buildings in Four Years to Launch its Award-Winning Education Model appeared first on 糖心少女.