Client: Shelby County Board of Education
Area: 45,000 sq. ft.
Scope: Media center, 20 classrooms, four special education classrooms,
teacher work area and lounge, administration suite, kitchen,
and cafetorium
Designed for an initial enrollment of 500 students, the school
was intended to be an efficient, low-energy structure. Organized
around a central cafetorium (multi-use area), four 5-classroom
pods are grouped around four common areas off a glass-enclosed
outdoor classsrom. This provides natural light and an open feeling.
Four special education classrooms are adaptable for special
uses with movable partitions. Expansion of the facility can
be accomplished with the addition of similar classroom groupings
to existing pods.
Energy efficiency is achieved by low-sloping berms against all
exterior classroom walls, the use of large overhangs, and a
water-source heat pump HVAC system. Walls are painted neutral
colors with a variety of bright accent colors at selected points
to provide orientation and visual stimulation. The low-maintenance
design and durable construction materials have allowed this
1984 facility to maintain a "like new" appearance despite its
age.
