As old as it is, it seems to function well on several levels: Spring Woods High School in SBISD (Spring Branch ISD). I’m a mentor there and I’ve observed the flow of traffic in the outdoor courtyard past the entry/guard gatehouse and flanked by two-story Administration offices/classrooms on one side and two story auditorium on the opposite side and the library directly across from the entrance. Kids eat lunch outside at concrete picnic tables and throw frisbees. Lots of green space.
Staff is always present to monitor and guide, if necessary, student activities.
The computer lab is on the first floor of the library in a separate room (this does not work too well, in my opinion as it is like a fishbowl)- but it does provide sight lines to the library staff to easily monitor.
There are a few outdoor second floor corridors which seem urban and dark- but they do have staff present when the bell rings to make sure students don’t linger or fight.
Good luck on your trip!
Tara Imani, AIA, NCIDQ, ASID, CSI
Registered Architect + Interior Designer
Tara Imani Designs, LLC
10333 Richmond Avenue, Suite 170
Houston, TX 77042
Work/Mobile Ph: 832-723-1798
www.taraimanidesigns.com
Original Message------
Hello!
Reaching out to the community to get ideas on what schools in Texas would be good to visit with our ISD clients in planning for a new 9th Grade Center / future High School?
Some big concepts we'd like to see in action and get feedback from users on the space include:
- collaborative small group / larger group areas
- maker spaces
- distributed dining
- flexible / adaptable space
- innovative use of high degrees of transparency & operable partitions
- teacher hubs
- nooks
- spaces specifically designed for Project Based Learning, Blended Learning, and/or the Flipped Classroom
- outdoor learning
Thanks in advance for sharing ideas and projects!
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Meredith N. Contello AIA
Project Architect
Pfluger Architects
Austin TX
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