BRUCE VENTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

BRUCE VENTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Saint Paul is a brand-new, energy-efficient facility designed to inspire learning, support community use, and serve students for decades to come. Working collaboratively with Cuningham, Hallberg Engineering provided full MEP design services for the project, integrating high-performance systems that prioritize sustainability, comfort, and long-term operational efficiency.

A key feature of the design is the Darcy geothermal system, which uses groundwater heat exchange to sustainably heat and cool the building with significantly reduced energy consumption.

The new school is approximately 50,000 square feet larger than the original building and now serves nearly 500 pre-school through fifth-grade students in bright, flexible learning environments designed to adapt to future educational needs. Expanded classroom areas, collaboration zones, early-learning spaces, and improved community facilities all contribute to a more engaging and supportive experience for students and staff.

Site improvements were a major focus of the project, including enhanced traffic flow with separated parent and bus drop-off zones, improved stormwater management to address the site’s significant elevation change, and new outdoor learning and play spaces for both elementary and early childhood programs.

Together, these features create a modern, sustainable, and community-centered school that honors Bruce Vento’s legacy and provides a welcoming, future-ready environment for Saint Paul students and families.