Dallas ISD—Solar Preparatory School for Girls at James B. Bonham
Architect: BWA Architects
- 2 story Addition/Renovation to existing 1923 structure with connecting atrium
- All-girls STEAM Academy features exploratory academic spaces, learning stairs for informal/group education & transparent spaces with sliding glass doors for learning on display
- PBL/Maker spaces, Robotics, Science & Art, open into communal areas
- Outdoor areas offer out-of-the-box education
- Project includes a tornado shelter incorporated into the design of the cafetorium, with overhead rolling doors
Design
Choice STEAM Academy, transparency creates “Education on Display”, glass throughout offers natural light, connectivity, visual security Using spatial layout & flexibility, design blends traditional & innovative learning with 1st floor collaborative & communal areas & 2nd floor enhanced academics 1st ICC-500 Tornado Shelter in the district, invisibly integrated into cafetorium, maintains exterior glass, halls & kitchen Site Design reconfigures traffic, new entrance off busy streets, amphitheater
Value
Clerestory windows, polished concrete, reflective white surfaces offer/enhance natural light. LED lights & insulated low-e glass save energy, decrease maintenance, prolong life cycles Breakout spaces, learning stairs, sliding partitions & glass doors offer boundless spaces used to teach & learn in a compact design with small footprint Integrated tornado shelter in lieu of creating separate room Existing cafeteria converted into maker space Existing gym updated with new windows
Sustainability
Compact design maximizes site utilization Window placement increases views & captures natural light- 90% view access, 10% glazing to floor area White roof & light concrete reduce heat gain District controls HVAC Low-E/High light transmittance, insulated glass & LED lights save energy Under-pavement water retention Recycled/recyclable materials Meets Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) standards, Green Building & Energy Codes Learning garden & plant beds, cistern to conserve water
Community
Addition enhances relevance of 1923 facility, reignites sense of pride in treasured school Used for clubs/events; theatrical productions, Destination Imagination, robotics competitions, YMCA STEM after-school care School Carnival promotes local business & neighborhood All students are Girl Scouts Community created Learning Garden Partner with Dallas Arboretum, SMU Maker Education Project Choice School creates socioeconomic diversity No set attendance zone; kids across entire district attend
Planning
3 Driving objectives: Building as teaching tool, Education/systems on display, Transparency Collaboration with District office & school leads, Program Managers & Design team Blend of academic spaces & nooks, varied technology rich learning environments Shared functions; dining/stage/shelter, grade specific library shelves incorporated into multi function corridors PBL & STEAM spaces, labs, maker spaces, music, stage, boundless hands on learning Existing spaces transformed Industrial aesthetic
School Transformation
District’s 1st all-girl public STEAM Academy; wait list to attend Addition enhances 1923 building with forward focused education Spaces cultivate teamwork/mentoring Lab/maker spaces with 3D printers, kiln & mobile technology Out-of-classroom Learning; stage, breakout spaces, learning stairs, amphitheater, learning garden Word, Science/Tech & City murals for sense of place Transparent yet safe; secure vestibule, privacy curtains All spaces engage outdoors Exploratory technology rich academic spaces.
Star of Distinction Category Winner