Arlington ISD—Floyd Gunn Junior High Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy
Architects: Stantec
“The Gunn FADL (Fine Arts and Dual Language) Academy is the Junior High extension of the wildly popular and successful program that started with the implementation of the Academy programs through the additions/renovations of Jones and Corey Elementary Schools during the 2014 bond.
The next chapter of Gunn JH includes the additions and renovations to accommodate the new FADL Academy that reflects and respects the 47-year history of this school, and creates a design that is inspired by the proud Gator tradition. Much like the real thing, the hangout for the Gunn Gators has been lovingly known as the Swamp. The image of the swamp serves as inspiration for the design of the new Gunn academy, and of the new hangout spaces for its students. The image of the swamp serves as an organizing element at the parti level. The student gathering areas mimic those natural clearings and invite activity and interaction. Similarly, an abstracted conceptualization of the image of the swamp informs the patterns and materials throughout the building.
The design draws inspiration from the major themes established during visioning for the reimagined Gunn; Freedom, Creativity, and Empathy. As students graduate from their elementary academies into Gunn, they will have the freedom to explore and pursue specific areas of interest within the arts. The fine arts along with the dual-language curriculum will spark students’ creativity and will connect them to people with other cultures and backgrounds. That empathy towards different cultures will allow Gunn students to thrive as culturally responsible citizens.
The design of the new Gunn Academy connects the existing athletic and dining building with the main academic building by infilling the existing breezeway. This new area known as the SWAMP becomes the heart of the renovated school, by creating an open media center overlooked by the new maker space lab across from the expanded kitchen/dining spaces at the nexus of daily student travel between athletics, academics, and the dining/performance space. Comprehensive interior renovations make sure the new Gunn feel is consistent throughout and opens up the existing footprint, allowing for collaborative student inquiry in a variety of spaces.
In order to ensure that all students at Gunn felt as one, regardless of their FADL or the traditional curriculum pathway, Stantec facilitated a visioning process to create a House concept. This process developed a brand and identity for each house based upon the aspirational goals for students and the multicultural aspect of a dual language campus that also respects the demographic makeup of the student body. Finalizing the “”brand”” for each house involved creating an animal totem based on each house’s core principal’s and connecting it back to the new Gator as a reminder that each house is a part of creating the Gunn Gator community.”
Design
“This project excels in integrating educational goals with site development and facility design. The redesigned site plan enhances flow and accessibility while creating a prominent community face. Inside, Fine Arts are centralized and accessible to all students and promote the of showcasing student art. The Dual Language program is woven throughout the school to connect every student to language and develop an appreciation of cultural diversity. The library’s entry design mimics a proscenium and sets the stage for a medium size group instructional space to enrich the learning environment and foster creativity.
“These changes are by far, greater and more beautiful than I could ever have imagined. I believe you will see amazing results from the alumni here for the next 50 years, that’s a true community investment.”
– Daughter of Namesake”
Value
“Efficient, flexible, and community-focused, this project integrates creative building solutions to the innovative curriculum by leveraging existing structures for a cost-effective campus transformation. Spaces across the campus, like the cafetorium and gallery, are multi-functional to maximize space efficiency. Architecturally blending old and new materials, such as existing brick, preserved heritage while integrating modern technologies and aesthetics to extend the life of the building. These choices optimize space use, cut costs, enhance campus life, and create opportunities for community engagement.
“This is what’s right about public education. An investment by a community – a community that said there is a standard of success that we can pursue and realize … It’s a continuation of excellence that builds and builds and builds to what you see today and what we’ll see for the next 50 years.”
– Superintendent of Schools”
Wellness
“This campus prioritizes student well-being and learning through innovative wellness strategies integrated into its architecture and environment. The house system was designed to unify students from different curricula, fostering community and social-emotional development. Outdoor spaces are designed to promote creativity in the arts, while interior spaces are layered with natural materials and biophilic graphics to enhance the connection to nature. Flexible, student-centered spaces support diverse learning styles, encouraging autonomy and reflection.
“It just feels amazing being a part of this monumental school.” “And the fact that it’s on its feet and still thriving after 50 years just means so much. You get so many opportunities … this is where I fell in love with theater.”
– 8th grade student tour guides”
Community
“The project reinvests in an aging and diverse community to ignite a sense of pride in the neighborhood and student body. Both inwardly and outwardly, it features various spaces to engage the public, fostering a civic minded school spirit. Inside, distinct houses unite students with multilingual names and unique mascots, celebrating cultural diversity. The Swamp, an area centered around Floyd the Gator, symbolizes community spirit and school heritage. These elements enhance the school’s role as a cultural hub, prioritizing community engagement and identity development through the spaces dedicated to the display and performance of students’ work.
“”We had a big challenge as we approached this Academy model. How do we respect and honor the tradition of the past but still welcome the future. Our house system is how we intended to do that purposefully.”
– School Principal”
Planning
“The project’s planning and design were driven by its core mission to integrate fine arts & dual-language (FADL) education into the heart of the campus. A pivotal staff charrette enabled educators, students and parents to collaboratively plan how to fuse the core curriculum with these specialized programs. This ensures that the addition and renovation would effectively support their instructional objectives. Central to the design strategy was the positioning of fine arts facilities at the core of the building. This layout strategically anchored these spaces around communal areas like the swamp, gallery, media center, and performance cafeteria, fostering a cohesive and accessible environment for students and faculty alike. The 6th-grade addition allowed the district to increase the enrollment for the FADL program and created new double height communal space for students to showcase their work.
“We built this building around what we want to accomplish as a school. The instructional goals were key to determining what kinds of spaces the building needed.”
– School Principal”
School Transformation
“The redesigned site plan not only improved safety and traffic flow but also revitalized the campus, enhancing access to natural light through updated building facades. This transformation aligns with the district’s goals to reinvest in the neighborhood, which has a deep historical connection to the school. Central to this revitalization is the new main entry, which now prominently features the Swamp—a symbolic heart of the school that was previously tucked away on a remote staircase. By relocating the Swamp to a central position, it now serves as the community-facing focal point of the campus. This elegant space not only celebrates the school’s rich history and showcases its artifacts but also strengthens community bonds and supports a modern, inclusive educational environment that highlights student work. Additionally, with every space in the existing building(s) undergoing extensive renovation, the integration of the Fine Arts & Dual Language (FADL) curriculum ensures that every corner of the building reflects the unwavering commitment to bilingual education and artistic expression.
“The past success of the Junior High was built on a shared community of you – every single one of you. It’s a bond, a shared, unbreakable bond that will continue now within these new walls with new teachers, new students, new laughter for the next 50 years.”
– Daughter of Namesake”
Star of Distinction Category Winner