Arlington ISD—C.B. Berry Elementary School
Architects: HKS
The new C. B. Berry Elementary School combines two existing schools into a state-of-the-art facility designed to encourage students to project themselves into limitless futures. Based on input gathered through a stakeholder engagement process, the team developed a design based on four guiding principles: community, resilience, wellness and student futures; all tied back to district goals and leading to measurable outcomes for success. The new school creates a pedestrian-first approach, dedicating the northeast corner of the site to a community park, intended to become a space for parents and students to build meaningful relationships through the shared experience arriving and leaving school. Programmatically, the school is divided in a semi-public, central zone anchored by the library volume as its defining form on the arrival court, with shared programs clustered around an outdoor learning courtyard and flanked on either side by academic wings. Conceptually, the school represents a learning journey, connecting the students to the idea that we all begin on the same foundation, and over time embark on different journeys.
Design
The school’s layout revolves around a central zone, anchored by the library volume, with shared programs grouped around it. At its core, the project aims to foster a strong sense of community across all facets and to equip students with the autonomy to discern the path that resonates most with them. The programming is separated into public resources and private classrooms. Each of the classroom pods is separated by color to create a unique sense of ownership and personalization between grades.
Value
Through collaboration with community partners, the design team pinpointed areas for enhancing student learning. Employing smart design techniques bolstered ownership and increased project value. These strategies included minimizing long-term maintenance costs through energy modeling, utilizing durable materials, and implementing natural daylight techniques. Preserving existing historic trees not only maintained the community’s sense of place but also elevated their contributions.
Wellness
Supportive spaces such as libraries and exterior environments play key roles in fostering holistic development, inclusion, and well-being among students. The library offers opportunities for collaboration, research, and can deepen students’ understanding of subjects beyond the classroom curriculum. Another supportive space is the exterior environment, where space for physical activity and connection to nature promotes emotional wellbeing and reduces stress among students.
Community
This project enriches the existing culture by establishing community pathways on the Northeast side, underscoring the significance of learning while fostering abundant public green spaces to promote wellness and sustainability. Adjacent to the school entrance, the design team emphasized a multipurpose room to encourage public use. These initiatives cultivate a sense of ownership and belonging within the school community, enhancing engagement and collaboration among stakeholders.
Planning
Incorporating community feedback was pivotal for aligning with project design objectives. This involved active engagement in stakeholder meetings to comprehensively understand community perspectives, leading to refined spatial solutions. The atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding fostered open dialogue on student needs, ultimately resulting in the adoption of a pod-style classroom layout with a central public area.
School Transformation
Design professionals are engaged in enhancing the buildings and envisioning how spaces meet the needs of communities. The development of spaces vital to educational districts are deeply appreciated by their occupants. The transformation includes the refinement of areas like the maker space, “seed” spaces, and learning convergence zones. By prioritizing the improvement of these spaces, schools can experience a meaningful evolution, making them valuable to their students.
Star of Distinction Category Winner