WRA Architects

A CHPS-Designed on-site replacement school on a tight urban site, one of this original school’s most unusual features is that it was underground because of a nearby airport. Many design challenges helped shape and locate the building on the small 4-acre site. Due to the tight site, the stormwater detention requirement was met using the void from the old school as an underground detention tank. The design solved airport noise and safety of the students and faculty during the construction period.

This 108-year old school, built in 1914, was renovated throughout and expanded by an additional 55,000 SF. Uniting the historic structure with contemporary amenities, the updated campus now presents a new cohesive face to the neighborhood. Additions include a new Science Wing, CTE Wing, Cafeteria, and a new Library. Renovations include repurposing the existing Library into a new Administration Suite, converting the old Cafeteria into new Classrooms, and renovating and adding new Courtyard areas.

Replacing a 40-year-old elementary school, this new campus on a new 45-acre site is designed for up to 1,012 students. The old school is being renovated for new District Administration offices. Academic programs include 5 learning houses for grades Pre-K through 3rd. The project includes specialized classrooms for Science, Art, Music, Computer, and Special Education. Also includes Cafetorium with Stage, Media Center/Library, Outdoor Learning Areas, and the Gymnasium doubles as a Storm Shelter.

Major renovation to convert a 30-year old elementary school into a modern learning environment for 21st Century high school freshmen. The makeover provides a stimulating collegiate atmosphere that helps students transition from middle school to high school to college and career. The old Cafetorium was transformed into a new Commons to be a central connector to all major areas of the school. Large glass overhead doors facilitate spontaneous collaboration and more interaction between students.

A new CHPS-Designed, Sustainable, 21st Century method school using Geothermal Technology. As the largest of the District’s several dozen elementary schools, stakeholders committed to maximizing the new building’s energy efficiency, both initial and long-term, and equipping the facility and its 1,000 students with provisions for the District’s 21st Century learning methods. Major design features include optimum solar orientation and a variety of flexible learning spaces throughout the school.

A new Sustainable, 21st Century school replaces a 54-year old school on the same site. The old building had outlived its useful life, and total replacement was the most cost-effective long-term solution for accommodating the District’s learning methods and energy goals. The site abuts a City park; District and City worked together to trade sites. The new structure was constructed with school in session and no construction disruption. The old school was then demolished and became a new City park.

A new middle school for 1200 students, including an 1800 seat football/track stadium. The two-story classroom building is organized to provide individual core-classroom communities for each of the 3 grades served. Shared spaces include a light-filled Media Commons and adjacent Cafeteria, both fronting on a central Courtyard; rehearsal spaces for Band, Choir, and Orchestra, separate Gymnasiums for competition and practice, and a large locker room building constructed as an EF-5 Tornado Shelter.

The site is a registered Historic Landmark. Project goals were to honor the school’s historic character, create Next Generation learning spaces, provide technology-intensive Collaboration Areas and a Technology Bar, upgrade instructional areas to current TEA standards, increase capacity for growth, provide an EF-5 Tornado Shelter, and eliminate portables. The project includes new sky bridges and improved circulation, giving students smoother, secure connections with the rest of the campus.

Total renovation of a 20,000-seat stadium. Major design goals were to modernize its appearance, construct a larger Pressbox to meet Texas 5A-6A requirements, and larger Locker Rooms. Finished project is 18,750 seats with larger Concourse, improved spectator access to Restrooms and Concessions, expanded Concourse-level viewing of the field, expanded Concessions queuing and serving, extensive media technology upgrades, upgraded security and better separation of performing students from spectators.

Envisioned to look more like a high tech office complex than a traditional high school, this project is an all-CTE campus, championed by grassroots voices in education and local industry. Students from all over the District may apply for admission. Disciplines include I.T., Robotics, Logistics, Engineering, Architecture, Construction Science, Medical Science. Unlike the District’s other high schools, this has no extracurricular fine arts or athletics, focusing only on college/career preparation.

A Sustainable project designed for maximum long-term cost-efficiency and the full complement of the District’s new 21st Century learning features. The project replaces an old school with an all new building that boasts collaborative teaching areas, special-purpose and multi-function spaces, and shared community-use spaces. Each grade level has its own large Collaboration Area adjacent to its classrooms, and large glass walls enable teachers and staff to monitor multiple areas simultaneously.

This signature addition is situated on a highly visible and significant part of this large high school campus. On the last remaining large open space, the school’s iconic “Front Lawn,” the building form was carefully crafted to honor its prominent view and accentuate the large campus lake it faces. Next Generation learning spaces for Math and Engineering with wide views of the lake, several Collaboration Areas, and a shaded Outdoor Learning area. A serrated design allows due-North-facing glass.

Health sciences academy developed by the District with local community college. The facility provides state of the art training in many programs and awards college credit certifications in Health Information Management, Certified Nursing Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, Medical Examiner, and others. Facility includes computer labs, hospital rooms, EMT apartment, Prosthetics, and Autopsy. Design includes full height glass between classrooms and corridors and multiple collaboration areas.

Bright, creative teachers played significant roles developing a vision, the Four C’s – Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking. Strategies: Ignite students’ enthusiasm; Foster collaboration between students and teachers; Multiple simultaneous learning activities. Workshops produced an uncommon architecture: Multiple spaces, flooded with North light, loosely connected by large garage doors, multiple configurations from small groups to large presentations to combined classes.

A middle school replacement building also housing the District MST Magnet school. The east and west wings of the building are the loud public spaces, creating a large courtyard. 21st Century and Sustainability features include shared-use collaboration spaces on each floor, sheltered outdoor learning spaces in the courtyard, enhanced acoustics in classrooms, windows in every classroom and work area, east-west orientation of the classroom wing minimizing heat load, and an Energy Management System.

District’s second elementary a new concept, the product of District-wide collaboration. Major goals were to enhance Next Generation learning, technology access throughout, flexible learning environments, and natural light. Grades PreK-1 are on the ground floor, grades 2-5 upstairs. Includes landscaped courtyard for outdoor learning activities. Classrooms are secured from night activities in Cafetorium, Library, and Gymnasium. Zig-zag corridor walls create break-out spaces adjacent to classrooms.