Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD—Discovery Lab and Leadership Learning Center
Architects: VLK Architects
EMS ISD’s Administrative Offices and Discovery Lab Learning Center consolidates the school district’s administrative and professional development functions, while providing a field trip destination for K-12 natural science classes and serving as a community hub. The district desired a building that would bring its staff closer together in a calm and inviting atmosphere with visual connections to the natural outdoors, all while nurturing a culture of creativity and collaboration. The resulting design sits on the site in a quiet, reflective pose, similar to a park building or nature center. The building is faced inside and out with golden brown stone with deep raked joints, complimented by a dark gray cement panel system and glass walls framed with dark bronze storefront. The semi-rural location of the building led to the incorporation of a sit-down bistro with full-service breakfast and lunch, along with a micro mart serving healthy grab and go food throughout the day.
Design
“Discovery and leadership coexist, nestled on a rolling hill with an awe-inspiring view of Marine Creek Lake. An outdoor experience plaza and open, flexible lobby connect student exploration labs with leadership and learning areas. Students guide teachers through a maze of connected trails identifying elements of nature. Bringing the outside in, natural exterior materials wrap to the inside, creating a ribbon of corridors reflecting the natural environment and offering exquisite water views.”
Value
“Overhangs provide shade to protect large expanses of glass, exposed steel structures, and the elevated walkway from weathering, reducing cleaning, and maintenance. Native vegetation and natural prairie grass are featured across the site to reduce mowing and watering costs. A height-sufficient crawl space under the building accommodates an end-to-end central walkway configured for ease of access to maintenance operations reducing time on site and interruption to the users.”
Wellness
“Accommodating a remote area with minimal options, the in-house chef creates healthy meals served in a culinary destination with outdoor dining and astonishing views for miles. A variety of outdoor experiences provide a balance of opportunities for exercise, vitamin D, reflection, and learning. Social well-being is encouraged via intentional adjacencies and transitions promoting collaboration and movement.
Two natural science labs have access to the outdoor tiered seating area, trails, and lake.”
Community
“The master planned property honors the culture and memories of a historic ranching community, ensuring the preservation of 96 acres of natural land. Students are invited to bring family afterhours to witness the breathtaking views of the lake and interact with nature on the six miles of trails. Retirees are honored and remembered through wildflower seed celebrations naturally planted on the site, visible from the wrap-around balcony. A new sense of place provides belonging for the community.”
Planning
“The quiet reflective pose of a nature center houses the result of deliberate planning, allowing for both teaching and learning to function under one roof. Student voice is reflected by the inclusion of culture, design, academics, and the overall intended experience.
Intentional adjacencies of discovery and leadership areas, ample natural light, and views of nature are the apparent priorities. Destination discovery is achieved with uncommon and spirited vision fusing adult and student learning.”
School Transformation
I’ve never seen a turtle in the wild before is heard as students wear their mud boots and explore an atypical learning environment. Capable of transforming into space for any grade level, the ever-changing curricula, or a teaching concept, learning is realized with teaching methods aligned with designed discovery spaces. Real experiences and visual connections to the rich environment offer learning not realized in a traditional setting.
Star of Distinction Category Winner