Built in 1961, Penn Elementary School was the first Iowa City Community School District facility built in North Liberty. Over the past 50 years, though, the school, which was intended to serve 300 students, had grown to more than 500 students. In 2014, OPN Architects was hired to transform the school’s learning environments by renovating the existing 42,616-square-foot building and designing a 28,964-square-foot addition. New construction includes eight classrooms, a computer lab and media center, gymnasium, outdoor courtyard, administrative areas, and mechanical spaces. Renovation work included new sprinkler system, lights, ceilings, electrical upgrades, new bathroom fixtures, and new finishes.