2023-24 Winners

The Caudill Class is a design standard presented to districts and architects selected from the field of projects that have received at least four stars from the six Areas of Distinction. Caudill Class recognition is not limited in number but in the opinion of the Caudill Jury is worthy of this special recognition.

Alief ISD—Jefferson Early Learning Center

Alief ISD—Jefferson Early Learning Center

Alief ISD is a diverse, urban district spanning 36.6 square miles on the west side of Houston. 82.6% of students in Alief ISD qualify for free or reduced lunch, and the median household income is $46,655. Located on the corner of Bellaire Blvd and Howell Sugar Land Road, Alief ISD’s Jefferson Early Learning Center campus is organized into two villages providing students with a sense of community and place.

Alief ISD—Maria del Carmen Martinez Early Learning Center

Alief ISD—Maria del Carmen Martinez Early Learning Center

New construction pre-kindergarten campus for 558 students; it is the inaugural early childhood center for the district and the prototype for a sister campus and future iterations. Configuration of the 79,000 sf campus is inspired by a village concept; the outdoor playgrounds are a prevalent feature and are surrounded by a winding pathway and six neighborhoods. Immersive learning is at the core and all aspects of the building are tactile and visually stimulating.

Dallas ISD—South Oak Cliff High School

Dallas ISD—South Oak Cliff High School

This High School, constructed in the early 1950s, was center stage of a highly publicized student walkout covered by local and national media outlets in 2016. The condition of the school had declined over the years and the protest was in direct response to leaky roofs, inadequate heating and cooling, pest and vermin infestation, and issues with the natural gas infrastructure serving the building. The design solution focused on addressing the mechanical and functional deficiencies of the facility while creating an equitable learning environment.