Port Neches-Groves ISD — Port Neches Intermediate School
Architect: VLK
“Branded with their beloved district mascot, Little Feathers, exude abundant pride for their new learning environment that accomplished the merging of two separate communities, minimizing the number of schools in the district, and addressing spaces for modern instructional methodologies. A needed two-sided facing stage allows for maximized educational space and performance opportunities with the learning terrace to oversee activities below, used regularly.
Input from over 40 stakeholders, including students, informed the charette that captured the most important aspects of the purposeful design. This energy efficient, neighborhood replacement campus is the jewel of the community with design solutions realized for deep and meaningful connections for students throughout the building.”
Design
“The fusion of pride and tradition drove the design vision creating big student opportunities that encourage excellence, nurture creativity, and celebrate community. Branded with their beloved district mascot, Little Feathers, exude abundant pride for the learning environment that is their “home away from home.”
“Living Rooms” support flexibility providing a family feel for large groups, as well as a variety of small group learning configurations in addition to the roomy classrooms, flooded with natural light. A two-way facing stage maximizes educational space and performance opportunities with the learning balcony to oversee activities below. Students love their replacement school, and demonstrate the comfort associated with learning throughout the building, using every nook and cranny, specifically designed for their use.”
Value
“This campus joined two separate communities, minimizing the needed number of campuses in the district, and realizing substaintial reductions in district operations costs. The updated building provides valuable curb appeal for the community with significant improvements for modernization and safety, replacing schools that opened in the 1950s.
Classrooms are oriented towards north or south, providing natural daylighting. Materials selected throughout the building are low maintenance and provide for long-term use. Shading devices provide for energy savings. The stage uniquely opens on both sides, providing flexibility and maximization of both performance and learning spaces.”
Wellness
“The Little Feathers that attend this campus are tended to with a holistic approach provided by the campus and is evident by student behaviors. Thoughtful learning areas, flooded with natural light, provide abundant options for teachers to design the daily learning experiences intended for students.
Flexibility and adaptability are both realized with a variety of spaces, both indoors and outdoors that support individual and personal student needs, contributing to their mental health.”
Community
“This replacement campus engaged two separate communities, bringing them together in harmony, and exceeding their expectations. Connected by the powerful brand and mascot that defines this community, more students with more diversity now thrive under these roofs.
Appreciation is now witnessed after the deliberate merging of two previously separate school zones, establishing one entity. A celebration of this union is evident by the strong culture distinguished by the powerful graphics that define this new shared space. Importantly, the number of previously needed schools was reduced, saving the district long-term costs.”
Planning
“Thoughtful planning was required as new elementary school concepts had not been addressed in over 70 years in the district. Deliberate and thoughtful planning was initially accomplished between the design firm and administration representing all departments using an educator who focused on district educational aspirations and internalized specific delivery of instructional expectations.
The Superintendent was clear on what he wanted for the community, and this was echoed by other members of the close-knit community that also gave input. Curated goals drove the design process and included a charette with about over 100 stakeholders. Most important were the student and parent voices that influenced the outstanding design solution the community now cherishes.”
School Transformation
“Two communities merged, creating an environment that exceeded the expectations of the both. Instructional goals are realized with a variety of spaces where teachers utilize every inch of the building. The stage uniquely opens on both sides, maximizing both performance and learning spaces. Living Rooms allow for creative large group work, bringing students together to celebrate a new learning environment.
Not only was the school transformed to support new instructional methodologies, but the community at large was also transformed with the blending of cultures to create something very special. Updating schools from the 1950s stirred an abundance of pride, only increasing the positive culture that already existed in the district.”
Star of Distinction Category Winner