Devinny Elementary School

Turning Summer Break into Lasting Impact

Lakewood, CO

When Devinny Elementary School needed a complete interior makeover before the new school year, we had just 90 days to transform every classroom, upgrade the kitchen, install a new playground, and refinish the gym – all while preserving every piece of student artwork and teacher materials.

The project began with an extraordinary level of detail work. Our team carefully cataloged every item on classroom walls – from student artwork to educational posters – ensuring teachers would find their rooms exactly as they left them, just refreshed. We patched wall holes, applied fresh paint throughout all classrooms, and installed new carpeting that would welcome students back to a renewed learning environment.

The kitchen received a major upgrade with the demolition of the old walk-in freezer and installation of a new walk-in refrigerator. We coordinated equipment relocation to JeffCo Schools’ central hub and added new roof venting to improve the kitchen’s functionality. Meanwhile, outdated baseboard heaters were removed throughout the building.

One of the project’s most visible improvements was the complete playground renovation. We carefully dismantled the existing playground equipment and constructed a 220-foot perimeter concrete wall around the new playground area. The installation included engineered wood fiber surfacing for enhanced safety.

The art room transformation showcased our versatility in finish work. After removing old tile flooring, we polished the concrete to create a durable, easy-to-clean surface perfect for creative activities. Stainless steel was installed behind sinks, and new drainage systems were added to handle art room activities.

Security enhancements included installing bulletproof glass at the front office window, reflecting modern school safety requirements. The gym received specialized attention with router work using specialized bits to refinish the stage front area, ensuring the multi-purpose space would serve students for years to come.

The project faced its biggest challenge when the building’s water system failed during construction. The backflow prevention system hadn’t been serviced since the 1980s and required a specialized replacement unit shipped from across the country. Our team adapted to work without water for two weeks while maintaining the aggressive timeline.

Despite these obstacles, we completed the comprehensive renovation on schedule, allowing teachers to return to refreshed classrooms and students to enjoy new amenities when school resumed in mid-August. The project demonstrated how thorough pre-planning and adaptable problem-solving can deliver exceptional results even under tight deadlines.

Project Facts

Industry Sector: Educational
Cost: $743,825
Size: 49,988 SF
Delivery Method: Design-Bid-Build / Hard Bid
Self-Perform: Demo, Concrete
Owner: Jeffco Public Schools, Jefferson County School District
Architect: DLH Architecture