Arlington ISD—Workman Junior High School
Architect: Brown Reynolds Watford Architects
The school’s function changed to a junior high school in 1984. During this conversion, the open concept plan was revised to a more traditional classroom making for small classrooms with no windows. The programming effort included community and staff outreach to blend two junior high campuses into a state-of-the-art facility. The new facility includes collaboration spaces, a secure central entry, new STEM labs, right-sized classrooms and an enlarged Dining and Kitchen facility.
Design
The school’s function changed to a junior high school in 1984. During this conversion, the open concept plan was revised to a more traditional classroom making for small classrooms with no windows. The programming effort included community and staff outreach to make the new junior high campus into a state-of-the-art facility. The facility includes collaboration spaces, a secure central entry, new STEM labs, right-sized classrooms and an enlarged Dining and Kitchen facility.
Value
Working with the community and staff was a key strategy for successfully shaping a collaborative environment. The team attacked the challenge of overlaying this ideal onto the existing facility. Workman is now a transformed environment with state-of-the-art classroom facilities and welcoming entry as a gathering place for the community. This conversion of an aging structure into a new school environment leads the way for future revitalization of the district’s remaining 1970’s era facilities.
Sustainability
The approach to sustainability was based on implementation of CHPS strategies, including passive solar shading, orientation of the additions, expanding views out, large scale apertures for natural light, energy efficient MEP systems and LED lighting throughout. Local, durable and low maintenance materials were selected to ensure long-lasting improvements; recycled material content was also a focus of material selection.
Community
The main entry was reoriented to respond to community use patterns. The classroom addition completely transforms the uninviting main street facade to announce to the community the new program within. The newly renovated facility includes collaboration spaces, a secure central entry, and an enlarged dining and kitchen facility to address the larger student population. New classrooms provide ample daylight and views. The 230,000 SF facility was completed for $12.2 million.
Planning
The Design team led the community, faculty and administration in a comprehensive planning process to establish a new vision for junior high education. By implementing this collective vision, the team converted a bunker-like structure into a new school environment that contributes to the neighborhood fabric, serves the community and transforms this outdated school.
School Transformation
Possibly the most satisfying aspect of the project was the idea of true transformation of a campus that has had a long history of serving the district. Finding a way to balance budgetary demand with the most effective means of transformation possible. Visually altering the public, student, and teaching team’s perspective, enhancing the perception of what a 21st Century campus can be. Transforming community understanding of the previous campus – reborn as a new community asset.
Star of Distinction Category Winner