The design for the Knoxville High School began with visioning workshops to determine the desired educational practices and programs to meet the needs of 21st century curriculum and instruction.
- Individual Research/Study Areas
- Lecture Area
- Open Collaboration Area (Teamwork)
- Conference and Presentation Areas
- Lab
- Studio
- Media/Learning
- Fitness/Wellness
- Workforce Development
How do we group learning environments into a cohesive organization that facilitates a seamless delivery of the educational program?
The building is organized into Learning Studios with collaboration areas for students and teachers to interact in a less structured environment. By grouping core academic areas with exploratory spaces and spaces for the self-paced learner, a learning environment was developed providing a responsive setting for the integrated curricular delivery envisioned in "Curriculum 21."
In identifying each of the four studios with one of the "4 C's" (Collaboration, Creative, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, and Communication), an outcomes-based organization of the educational environment was created.
"BLDD rose above multiple talented and experienced firms to earn our approval. We have become so confortable and confident in working with them."
- Steve Wilder, Superintendent, Knoxville CUSD #202
With an already thriving program, the planning of this facility and its location needed to be tightly knit into other district programs, such as athletics and general education. A key consideration was also the ability to expand program offerings in the future, through enlarged facilities and features which could include on-site gardens, crops or additional livestock support.
Since the classes, labs, and greenhouse spaces were scattered throughout the campus, there were no central offices, classrooms designed for other disciplines, or collaborative spaces for students. This made sharing ideas, materials, and information difficult.
The building was designed to replace several small, aging elementary schools with one larger facility that accommodates small learning communities and future education changes through its unique modular design.