Allen ISD—Ereckson Middle School
Architects: VLK Architects
Comprehensive Renovation of Middle School Campus
Design
“Reshaping spaces to foster teacher efficacy, student choice in modality, and enhanced function promotes ownership and growth. Diverse variety of inclusive spaces allowing for gradual release of student autonomy provide the design catalyst. Cultivating curiosity, promoting collaboration, and critical thinking, are experiences that align the community’s design dreams and expectations.
“”It’s a better-built environment for me, my learning style.”””
Value
“Modernizations to the physical learning environment, aligned with student-centered pedagogy, can positively influence adolescent engagement. Discovery and reuse of spaces redefined identity and purpose within the learning environment to effectively meet the needs of students and teachers. Adapting and conforming to the existing footprint recaptured square footage allowing for flexible and agile learning spaces.”
Wellness
“Collaboration spaces play a crucial role in promoting emotional well-being. Intentional line-of-sight connects interior spaces with the outdoors providing for views of lush treetops creating a natural canopy for learning. Beams of natural light illuminate the active media center and diverse collaboration spaces creating a sense of well-being and calm.
“”My favorite place is in the library, there is a lot of natural light. The sunlight is just magical, it feels comfortable.”””
Community
“Community voice influences district decisions instilling ownership, investment, and responsibility. Via the SOAR 2030 and Project Kids processes, stakeholders established a culture of excellence through collective impact, storytelling, and consensus building, creating new brand assets promoting campus identity and a sense of place. Destination multipurpose spaces also host public gatherings as a partner with the community.
“”It’s a community thing we have built. We are friendly to each other.”””
Planning
“There is a shift in culture and the learning environment when there is a commitment to systems, structures, and patterns of behavior. Learning environments engage students in academic and socially appropriate spaces supporting gradual release of autonomy. Intentional and deliberate spaces are appropriate for the adolescent learner in alignment with SOAR 2023 vision.
“”It just makes learning more memorable. With a new environment, it makes learning more exciting, and I feel more energetic.”””
School Transformation
“A culture shift occurs when teachers feel a sense of shared efficacy and belonging. Shared collective beliefs in an engaging, aligned, educational experience prompt spaces of well-being. Student’s curiosity is sparked through the transformation of dark and traditional spaces and realized through a refreshed brand with open collaborative areas for learning.
“”I feel like collaboration is better. We have all these spaces with windows and each one is awesome. There is more freedom.”””
Star of Distinction Category Winner