The new high school addition provides flexible spaces with more than one function. Moveable walls, reconfigurable furniture, shared faculty offices, and multi-functional spaces create a 21st-century learning environment in a smaller footprint.
Collaboration and coming together were a major focus in the arrangement of the educational spaces. The learning environments extend out of the classrooms and into the lobby and corridor providing a full complement of learning settings, establishing a student-centered learning environment.
- 4 Science Rooms
- Expanded Administrative Areas
- 39,000 Square Foot Field House
- Weight Room & Locker Room
- Band Room
- Choral Room
How do we increase space utilization for modern learning when 60% of the existing 1922 high school spaces were underused?
Utilizing a design thinking process, BLDD worked with educators and the community to create conceptual spaces to solve the high school's existing problems. This led to a "hacked" environment, where students and faculty tested prototyped rooms to gather feedback for the most effective, solutions-based designs for the new space.
In 2021, voters approved a $35 million dollar referendum, called, “Safe Schools, Safe Kids.” Bierbaum required building additions and interior modifications to accommodate their increasing enrollment, and enhance safety and security measures.
Through a $100 million bond referendum, the Edwardsville School District can provide 21st century learning environments throughout their facilities.
Faced with outdated and inflexible learning environments, unused spaces, chaotic drop off and pick up, and no central gathering area, doing nothing was not an option for the Jacksonville School District. Not only is the junior high experience a pivotal time in a child’s life, but of all the district facilities, the junior high was positioned to serve every student in the district.