Project Description
Jordan School District wanted to re-imagine its middle school, constructed circa 1960, into a flexible learning environment capable of supporting a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) program. DLR Group was engaged to work with the school’s stakeholders, investigate various grade level clusters and numerous educational delivery concepts, then design an extensive renovation and addition program to respond to the district’s vision that completely changes its educational delivery. Simultaneously, the district opted to construct a major addition to the middle school to house a new Community Education and Recreation Center (CERC) to offer all community residents a needed fitness and recreation space. The resultant facility apportions students into two academic clusters housing 5/6 grade students and 7/8 grade students, each with classrooms, labs and teacher support areas, flexible enough to accommodate a variety of configurations for student work. The facility’s original shared common areas are receiving minor renovation work. The design team devised a creative adaptation of the building’s core, using existing structural columns and raising the roof an additional 15 feet, to house an expanded mechanical system and bring natural light deep into the commons area through a series of clerestory windows. The raised section also serves to define a new secure entrance adjacent to the school’s administrative offices.
This project includes renovating a 108,670 SF facility built in 1965, adding a 12,200 SF pod with a variety of flexible learning spaces, and creating a 60,145 SF Community Center addition. The Community Education and Recreation Center (CERC), with its own entry, includes three gym stations with an elevated track, fitness center and community meeting spaces. Large glass windows will bring natural light deep into the facility, lighting all recreation and meeting areas. The classroom addition accommodates the district’s movement toward a STEAM program and provides two academic clusters each with ten classrooms and three Einstein labs (multipurpose labs that can be used for science and other subjects. The commons area, the building’s heart, seats up to 400 students and focuses on a raised stage area with acoustical ceiling. DLR Group provided architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural engineering and interior design services.