Design firm highlights projects completed for 2011-12

Aug. 18, 2011
Facilities in 26 districts across the nation used DLR Group

News release From DLR Group: New DLR Group designs for K-12 education are enhancing the learning environment for 26 school districts across the nation as the 2011-12 school year kicks off. More than 23,400 students across the nation will attend class in new or improved facilities designed by DLR Group.

“As the leading K-12 education design firm in the world, DLR Group collaborates with school districts every year to enhance learning opportunities and prepare students to be the next generation of leaders for their communities,” said Jim French, AIA, DLR Group K-12 Practice Leader.

DLR Group designed more than 3.1 million square feet of education space that opened this fall. Some of the facilities include:

*Ankeny Community School District; Ankeny, Iowa. Prairie Trail High School is the anchor of Prairie Trail Development, a 1,000-acre planned community that will include a vibrant mix of commercial and residential. The 281,000-square-foot facility includes a 750-seat auditorium, classrooms, laboratories, and small and large group collaboration spaces that respond to multiple learning and teaching styles.

*East Valley Institute of Technology; Mesa, Ariz. The new EVIT Health Sciences Center for this specialty technology high school will train and equip students for careers in Emergency Medical Training, Nursing, Health Sciences, Massage Therapy, Medical and Dental Assistants. The 67,000-square-foot project uniquely complements the existing Health Science Building with classrooms adaptable to the changing functional needs of the school. The sustainable and inviting environment is designed to meet the criteria for LEED Silver certification.

*Hutchinson Unified School District 308; Hutchinson, Kan. DLR Group’s renovation and modernization of Hutchinson High School creates a dynamic showpiece for the community. An inviting two-and-a-half story glass atrium welcomes students, community members and visitors as they enter the campus. The design reorganizes areas departmentally and improves functionality and circulation to better accommodate existing and future educational programs.

*Joplin Schools; Joplin, Mo. DLR Group collaborated with CGA Architects to design a temporary high school to replace the high school destroyed May 22 by a tornado. DLR Group transformed a 95,000-square-foot retail department store into a 21st-century learning environment for 1,200 11th and 12th graders. The flexible design includes six small learning communities, small and large group collaboration areas with a variety of seating, a fitness center, and teacher planning spaces.

*Laveen Elementary School District; Laveen, Ariz. The new Laveen Elementary School can accommodate 1,000 K- 8th grade students. Designers used bright colors and natural light to stimulate learning and exploration throughout the 92,000-square-foot school.

Princeton Public Schools; Princeton, Minn. DLR Group’s design adds 10 new classrooms to replace existing portable classrooms at North Elementary School. New classrooms feature large exterior windows for daylighting. Relocated administrative areas improve controlled access to the building for greater building security and child safety.

*Renton School District; Renton, Wash. The addition serves to strengthen the identity of the school and foster pride among the students, teachers and community members. Exposed systems and innovative design features allow the building itself to be a learning tool.

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