Fort Worth ISD—Amon Carter Riverside High School
Architect: BRW Architects
This 32,000 SF educational facility consisted of a new two-story addition that includes 12 classrooms on the second story, with a new dining facility on the first level that includes a collegiate-like lounge area for students, and a new kitchen with commercial loading dock. This project also included an expansion of the existing athletics program to maximize capacity through extensive renovations to the kitchen and dining facility and field house, and renovations of restrooms on campus.
Design
A major goal of the design of the building was to preserve the views of the historic elevation with sympathetic use of materials and complimentary color palettes. The design team took careful consideration in site analysis with 6 original site options on over 29 acres to ensure functionality and access. Collaboration spaces inside and out and a safe zone for delivery and docking were high priorities in the building’s design.
Value
The idea of enhanced value is centered around the concept of program density. Stacking the program in a compact footprint sustains the park-like setting that borders the built structures on campus. This was the highest priority of the neighborhood, preserving views and the mature trees, many 50+ year old Live Oaks. Using the available funds to maximize the campus impact in one multi-story addition that defines and holds the edge of the campus proper.
Sustainability
Sustainability is integrated into the project from point of arrival, an entry vestibule provides passive solar shading on all glass surfaces. Both inside and out, materials provide a welcoming warm palette, but also achieve goals of durability, longevity, local origination, and high recycled content. Recycled material content is present in most of the interior finish selections. Natural light is balanced with LED lighting. The basis for design was focused on CHPS based principals.
Community
This new addition became a true amenity to the community. The historic building was important to the community but equally as important as the history was, it was important that the new facility be contemporary but remain connected to the neighborhood and the existing campus. This facility was designed to share many of its functions with the community, including the outdoor learning stair, public gathering spaces and large scale event space.
Planning
The Design team led the community, faculty and administration in a comprehensive planning process with public workshops to establish a master plan for future additions and adjacent developments. The basis for design was focused on CHPS based principals.
School Transformation
Programs rely on creative solutions especially when dealing with a significant change on a campus with over 80 years of history and service to the community. The existing conditions of the dining and kitchen facilities were never intended to serve the a student population of 1,200+. Accommodating the demand for the number of meals per day was a major focus. The on-campus dining experience was vastly improved and the scale of the space became a community service amenity with campus wide impact.
Star of Distinction Category Winner