Call to Action:

1. Understand the value of a 20+ year strategic collaboration between an international architect, regional architect, and innovative school district.
2. Learn from first-hand experience how school design principles and concepts have evolved over this 20-year time horizon.
3. Learn the key concepts for how to design and build two new schools (a middle school and an elementary school magnet) on the same site as the pre-existing schools, addressing phasing, safety, and innovation.

Abstract: Richland 2 School District has been leading some of the most forward-thinking projects in the State of South Carolina for decades. Their cutting-edge Blythewood High School (a MacConnell Award Finalist) began a partnership with Perkins & Will and Doug Quackenbush (soon to establish Quackenbush Architects), a collaboration lasting twenty-plus years and resulting in over a dozen successful educational projects. This session will touch on the strategic advantages of this collaboration, leveraging each firm’s strengths and attributes— and the important cultural fit that makes the collaboration work. You will see over the course of this collaboration a shift in facilities and pedagogy of Richland 2 School District to where it has evolved today: the new E.L. Wright Middle School and Center for Knowledge (K-5). The E.L. Wright Middle School and Center for Knowledge Challenge This new, modern complex is located on the original site of the two outdated schools, each with their own car and bus loops and outdoor activity spaces. Despite the challenges of building on an occupied site, the 230,000 square foot design creates a more unified and compact campus, incorporating 21st century learning characteristics and a significant increase in quality green space. Secure outdoor courtyards and organic playscapes are created by the spaces between each of the academic wings, offering opportunities for outdoor learning. The Center for Knowledge (CFK) anchors the southern end of the building and is distinguished from the middle school through the use of bold color and large, picture windows in each classroom.

Key Challenges:

• Significant site topography limited planning and phasing options and made accessibility and vehicular circulation solutions more difficult.
• Pre-existing buildings date to the 1950s, were single-story in a sprawling configuration, and relied on outdoor circulation— making it very difficult to secure the campus.
• Both schools remained in operation while construction was ongoing on the same site, necessitating multiple phases of construction.
• Operating independent car loops and a bus loop severely constrained site access during construction.

Learning Objectives:

1. Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration: Understand the key factors contributing to the success of a long-term collaborative relationship between a regional design firm and an international design firm and the benefits to their shared client.
2. Fostering Learning Opportunities and Academic Success: Recognize how generous extended learning spaces give educators unique opportunities regarding pedagogical flexibility. Designs featuring a range of environments accommodate varied instructional modalities at scales ranging from one-on-one coaching to collaborative project-based learning across classes.
3. Innovation in Programming, Technology, and Design: Understand how the planning of the school creates connections by clustering program spaces to foster smaller communities within the whole. Learn about the program synergies between the middle school and the elementary school magnet. See how the culture and history of the two schools are graphically represented in the design. Post-occupancy feedback will be provided.
4. Constructing on an Occupied Site: Understand strategies for designing and constructing a new school on an existing and occupied site. Understand construction logistics and phasing strategies, considerations for school year traffic patterns, pedestrian pathways, drop-off and dismissal patterns, adjacent neighborhood concerns, and operational challenges to be overcome.