{"id":21759,"date":"2024-10-11T05:02:52","date_gmt":"2024-10-11T05:02:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/?page_id=21759"},"modified":"2025-01-24T01:12:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T01:12:42","slug":"2024-myrtle-thornton-elementary-school","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/?page_id=21759","title":{"rendered":"2024 \u2014 Myrtle Thornton Elementary School"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t
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Arlington ISD\u2014Myrtle Thornton Elementary School
\nArchitects: Corgan<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Gaining input to replace an aging facility with a ground-up elementary school, the design team engaged students, parents, and teachers to embrace the local culture and revitalize the community. Designed entirely during the pandemic, the design team gathered data virtually to inform the design approach and presented ideas to the largely Hispanic population to preserve existing oak trees, connect indoor and outdoor spaces, and create a cultural experience in a unified spirit to celebrate their heritage and culture.<\/p>\n

\"Design\u2014StarDesign<\/strong><\/p>\n

Celebrating the community\u2019s heritage and ties to the Ballet Folklorico tradition, the design incorporates vibrant, collaborative spaces. Floor-to-ceiling glass floods the library with natural light highlighting terracotta brick and bright accents while rhythmic patterns spark energy and movement toward a variety of flexible learning spaces for small group interaction and independent learning. Windows frame views of two beautiful existing oak trees on the site, integrating the benefits of nature.<\/p>\n

\"Value\u2014StarValue<\/strong><\/p>\n

Replacing an existing facility, the new school combines two elementary schools into one, improving maintenance and operations costs and extending the life cycle of the building. The new school serves as a model for future district schools, creating a unique canopy and entrance for parents and students to gather and socialize, outdoor areas to encourage learning and social interaction, and common flex use spaces to promote community involvement and connection.<\/p>\n

Wellness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Supporting STEAM\u202fcurriculum, students explore nature through hands-on learning experiences in two outdoor courtyards. The restorative natural environment provides pathways, sail canopies, and a shaded entry encouraging interaction and outdoor play. On the playground, students and teachers sit on stone walls and organic stone and log elements to gather and socialize. Biophilic elements improve wellbeing in this dynamic environment that connects community and rejoices in learning and connection.<\/p>\n

Community<\/strong><\/p>\n

Desiring a diverse cultural experience and unified spirit, the \u201ccelebration of culture\u201d was a key project driver. The school\u2019s Folklorico inspiration and Mexican architecture pays homage the community\u2019s Hispanic heritage. The community lovingly referred to Thornton Elementary as an extension of family \u2014 this concept was infused into the design through thoughtful site preservation, community gathering spaces, and classroom organization, creating a shared sense of place and belonging.<\/p>\n

Planning<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thornton Elementary serves as a district precedent to create outstanding education facilities that inspire and promote learning. The design team engaged teachers, students, faculty, and community members through unique information gathering and data mining activities such as surveys and virtual design charrettes to arrive at a shared vision for the project. As a result, early project goals included strong identity, learning-rich environments, and community-driven programs embodied in the design.<\/p>\n

School Transformation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Replacing the 50-year-old elementary school created opportunities for 21st century learning while preserving the strong community culture and pride. Welcoming community spaces and engaging outdoor areas were integrated to support parent and community involvement and to maintain pride of place. Forward-thinking spaces elevate education and inspire community connection \u2013 from grade-level teacher workrooms to a dedicated parent center offering parents courses in ESL and technology.<\/p>\n

\"Stars Star of Distinction Category Winner<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Arlington ISD\u2014Myrtle Thornton Elementary School Architects: Corgan Gaining input to replace an aging facility with a ground-up elementary school, the design team engaged students, parents, and teachers to embrace the local culture and revitalize the community. Designed entirely during the pandemic, the design team gathered data virtually to inform the design approach and presented ideas […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20249,"parent":21714,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21759","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21759","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=21759"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21759\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21714"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/texasschoolarchitecture.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=21759"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}