A fresh look and feel integrate school pride into the renovated gymnasium and fine arts sections at Raytown High School.
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A fresh look and feel integrate school pride into the renovated gymnasium and fine arts sections at Raytown High School.
Continue readingThe new outdoor learning environment serves as a “front door” on campus, welcoming students between classes.
Continue readingBROOKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LEAWOOD, KANSAS
The walls and floors come to life as avenues for learning and exploration.
Home to over 550 students, the Brookwood Beaver pride shines through in the building’s design. The original mascot, Oscar, is incorporated throughout the building, a nod to proud alumni of the previous Brookwood Elementary School. A mixture of colors and texture mimic those found in nature, and you’ll find a beaver den nestled under the learning stairs that provides a special place for students to socialize or study.
The built environment at Brookwood encourages learning through exploration. As students make their way through the corridors, subtle wayfinding cues and interactive environmental graphics inspire student engagement and spark inquiry. Beyond the interior walls are learning tools integrated onto the building’s façade – a central sun dial and diagram of the lunar phases.
Walden Middle School
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
2021 A4LE John Shaw Award Recipient
Visual connectivity and strategically designed collaborative spaces have led to an evolution of learning styles at this newly combined middle school.
Driving up to the building, you immediately feel the sense of space and pride created by Walden Middle School. Exterior signage and artwork can be illuminated with interchangeable colors to celebrate special occasions and holidays. The space was designed and built to give students access to outside daylight, while also ensuring safety and security as well as the durability of the building. This feeling of openness and transparent connectivity has attributed to the lack of bullying, according to the principal. Lockdown features also can be activated at the push of a button, securing 75 percent of the building.
In addition, the three academic wings are flexible and include operable walls, allowing for customization and collaboration throughout. The wings are connected by the gallery-like commons, where students’ work can be showcased, as well as the media center. The green building is the first LEED V4 certified school building in the region and demonstrates how the design played a crucial role in extending the building’s life cycle while incorporating impactful and sustainable features.
The brand-new Indian Creek Elementary replaces an existing building that had endured for decades and instilled pride in many community members.
Continue readingBlue Valley School District Logistics Center
OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS
Collaborative long-term planning resulted in the new District Logistics Center, increasing operational efficiency and streamlining resources.
Designed with the overall goal of enhancing operational efficiency and consolidating resources, the spacious new Logistics Center is now home to some of the district’s most essential operations. Previously located in separate buildings, the industrial print shop, laptop care, and loading dock with a three-story warehouse space are now under one roof. As one piece of a bundle of bond projects for the district, the streamlined efficiency allows for more dollars to be allocated towards learning and student-focused efforts. The print shop allows the district to bring all types of projects in-house, from small print jobs for student worksheets, to large metal signage for school buildings. The site was selected with growth in mind, designed to easily accommodate additions for future expansion and new programs.