Across the Nation

May 1, 2001
A roundup of construction and renovation projects in school districts and on college campuses.

COLORADO: New alternative school underway

ENGLEWOOD—Voters in the Cherry Creek School District approved a $172 million bond issue to build four new schools and three other buildings, repair other existing facilities, upgrade technology and improve safety. Among the new buildings is the Alternative Middle and High School, a special-needs facility for at-risk students.
The design goal is to separate the middle and high school students by using a T-shaped design with separate entrances. The high school will occupy the northern wing, and the middle school will occupy the southern wing. The shared administrative offices, gym, cafeteria and media center comprise the T-wing.
The school will encompass an area of 45,000 square feet when it is completed in August 2001. The cost is $6.8 million. Architect for the project is OZ Architecture.

GEORGIA: Design reflects curriculum

ATLANTA—The design of Price Middle School, the first new middle school built in Atlanta in several years, was inspired by discussions on educational programs, ground rules and goals.
The three-story building will have one floor designated for sixth graders, one floor for seventh graders and one floor for eighth graders. Each floor will be divided into three clusters, and each cluster will include three classrooms, a science room and a swing space, a room that can be used for numerous purposes, such as a classroom for the mentally or physically challenged. Nine hundred students are expected to attend the 157,000-square-foot school, which also will include a state-of-the-art media center that is open to the community, a technology-exploration laboratory, business laboratory, cafeteria and gym. In addition, there will be an exterior courtyard around which school functions will be organized.
The new school will have a neighborhood atmosphere in a big-city school. The building is scheduled to open later this year. It will be the model on which other new Atlanta middle schools will be designed. Architect for the project is Goode Van Slyke.

ILLINOIS: Residence hall offers year-round living

NAPERVILLE—The design of North Central College’s newest residence hall preserves the character of the historic surrounding neighborhood while creating a contemporary facility that meets the needs of residents.
The facility is based on several repetitive modules, consisting of duplex suites that offer living and studying space for 110 students. A living room, internal stair, several bedrooms and bathrooms, and a small kitchen comprise each unit. A common corridor and elevator serve all units. Stacked to create a compact four-story building, the duplex suites seem like townhomes on the exterior. All of the residences and the public spaces on the lower level, recreation and study areas, are wired to the campuswide computer network.
The silhouette of the suites facing the street intersection is similar to the adjacent houses. The exterior brick masonry also fits the context of the surrounding buildings. Light and reddish brick in a Flemish bond cover the building backdrop, and the townhouse facades are treated each with a slightly different reddish brick color. The precast dormer frames and limestone gables enhance the facade detail. Architect for the project was RADA Architects.

MARYLAND: Branding enlivens college food court

BALTIMORE—Loyola College’s The Boulder Garden Cafe, located at the center of an emerging campus retail-plex, houses a number of individual dining areas, each branded with its own identity.
Each dining area has a unified identity, reflected in the design and layout of the area to the menu, signage and uniforms. The diner, Phil’s Grill, represents local cuisine and aesthetics. Star Deli emphasizes freshness with the prominent position of the oven and the open, refrigerated merchandiser. The Pizza Pies area demonstrates the Italian concept, with Mediterranean blue-tile surfaces, custom lighting and the color palette of the logo. The Surf’n Joe area benefits busy students and faculty. The 15-foot counter is decorated with whimsical designs.
The dining area utilizes glass panels, stainless steel counters, and stools and chairs. Custom serving counters and curved ceiling panels are placed throughout the cafe.
The catering kitchen for the cafe serves the entire campus.
The architect for the project was Hospitality Services.

OHIO: Facility serves school and community

TWINSBURG—The Twinsburg High School/Fitness Center is a collaborative effort between school and community. The $33 million facility, located on a 60-acre site, replaced the outdated, overcrowded high school and provides the perfect location for a fitness center that serves both the school and community. The new school has an enrollment of 1,200 students in grades 9 to 12.
A media center, 36 classrooms, 1,050-seat auditorium, dining/commons area and a gymnasium with spectator seating comprise the two-level academic wing. The fieldhouse and natatorium are connected to the athletic wing of the school, with a separate entrance for the public.
The courts and competition-caliber pool are open to the students. A future addition will add 31,095 square feet to the high school.
Architect for the project was Fanning/Howey Associates.

TEXAS: Student community to be built

BEAUMONT—A new 521-bed student community is scheduled to open at Lamar University for the fall semester 2001. It will be a replacement for facilities built in the 1960s.
Eight residence buildings and a commons building comprise the new community. Residences are furnished, two-bedroom, one-bathroom units with cable, telephone and computer connections. Furnishings include a sofa, club chair, end table, coffee table, dining chairs, four-drawer underbed dresser, and twin extra-long beds. The commons building includes a community center with meeting room, study area, kitchen, lounge and business office.
Metal entry doors with door viewers, deadbolt and privacy locks provide a controlled entry and exit.
Architect for the project is American Campus Communities.

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