Pfluger Architects

The design incorporates renovation of a 1950’s former performing arts building together with new construction to create a vibrant new learn-study-play facility that enhances the student experience and activates learning by keeping students engaged and on campus. The project took an underutilized and uninspiring space and created a hub of activity that has energized the campus and the neighboring community, while honoring the rich history of both.

The College has a history of starting new campuses in unique places. Its first campus, opened in 1973, was made from an abandoned all-black high school. The latest campus before this one was created in an empty shopping mall. This campus, on former ranch land at a new light rail stop, will begin a new community that includes, not only a college campus, but also a High School, a YMCA, a Civic Center, a Civic Plaza, and direct connections to surrounding planned urban growth and natural assets.

The Performing Arts Center is the first purpose-built, district-wide Fine Arts facility in the 134-year history of the school district. 11 years of planning, design, and construction resulted in a facility that houses four state-of-the-art venues serving more than 84,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in 129 schools, exemplifying the community and district’s commitment to making Fine Arts education available to all.

As one of the fastest growing districts in the nation, this community is experiencing the challenges of transitioning from rural to suburban. With this in mind, the district needed a middle school that would be flexible in use and purpose. The open and collaborative result can evolve with the changing needs of instruction and increasing student enrollment. A 70-foot change in grade led to a terraced, circular layout around a busy, activity-filled courtyard that serves as a town square.

Career Training Education focused, Addition & Renovation

Norman Elementary School is the 5th rendition of the elementary school prototype for the District. The school focuses on new urbanist concepts, creating a walkable and bike-friendly campus which promotes healthier transportation for students. Sustainable technologies were key in driving design and engineering decisions to reduce ongoing utility and maintenance costs. The alterations were inspired by lessons learned, innovations in energy efficiency technologies and unique qualities of the site.

The Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts is a magnet school dedicated to integrating arts through its academic curriculum. The design team was challenged to create a new VMT campus that would be a wonderful place to learn and inspire. The campus will consist of three buildings spread over three city blocks. The school will have a 300-seat theatre, Black Box theater and a 120-seat recital hall for performing arts. The campus will also house a broadcast studio and art studios.

Tom Glenn High School is designed to accommodate district standards for improvement and supporting future changes to learning. The school encompasses small academic houses to facilitate small group learning and community networking. Larger common areas are centralized for teachers to use these spaces in their curricula and to provide better circulation and flow for students. A separate building houses extra-curricular activities to cut energy costs and increase safety for after-school programs.

“Tex” Hill Middle School resulted from North East ISD’s 2007 Bond Program. The middle school was designed to support continuing growth in the local Johnson High School attendance area. Tex Hill is constructed on a relatively flat, 81-acre District-owned site and has a classroom capacity for 1250 students and core facilities capable of supporting 1500 students. The middle school design is based on achieving a LEED facility rating.

With financial and inspirational support to create “Destination Schools” within the district, leaders at one elementary school with a unique location and story chose to become the school for enrichment and the environment. Perched on a bluff overlooking a 30,000-acre national wildlife refuge, campus leadership began developing environments that support their vision. Here students interact with nature on a daily basis with surprising and positive outcomes.

Transforming a 1950’s active campus into a Future-Ready learning environment; Prioritizing campus safety and cohesion; Integrating CTE programs into the heart of the campus.

2nd High School for District; focus on creating separate/strong school identity; CTE-integrated campus with a focus on STEM; shared site with middle school, designed and built concurrently;