Scope
New Middle/High School, Grades 7-12, Addition + Renovation
Completion
2019
Size
175,000 sf
Lake Local Schools, in partnership with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) hired SōL Harris/Day Architecture, Inc. to design three K-12 school projects, including an addition and renovation to their existing high school building in Uniontown, Ohio. Prior to starting design, Lake enlisted the help of Frank Locker, a nationally-recognized educational planner to conduct a 3-day Educational Visioning Session to bring together community members, staff, administrators and students to develop educational, technology and security priorities for the District. SHD interior designers and architects participated in the session, along with school administrators, teachers, students, and community leaders. The result of the visioning session was a clear and defined path for the District, and a solid foundation for what they envisioned their K-12 schools of the future to be.
SoL Harris/Day hit a grand slam in the design and follow through on the goals and objectives of the Lake Local facility project. As a 21st century learning environment, the need for flexible spaces, the integration of technology, and flexible use of furniture all came to fruition under the direction of the architectural team.
Kevin Tobin, Superintendent, Lake Local Schools
Located on a formerly sprawling campus housing not only the high school and middle school, but also the community library, Mercy Medical Center, Lake YMCA, and District administration offices, the high school lacked a real “presence” and main entry focal point for visitors. Part of the addition was to include a more impactful presence on Market Avenue, defined with two-story glass and a generous pedestrian walkway. The two-story addition houses an academic wing combining both high school and middle school students under one roof, creating opportunities for increased interaction, collaboration and mentorship.
Armed with extensive feedback from the District, SHD designed an addition and renovation to create a school for grades 7-12 that represented the District’s key goals of flexibility, openness, and adaptability. The 65,000 square foot addition, containing mostly Learning Studios and extended learning areas, is carefully planned and designed so that the main circulation space is in the core of the school building, and all learning areas have a view outdoors. In addition to having all the benefits of views and natural daylighting, the Learning Studios (classrooms) are connected to each other via moveable walls and glass garage doors that provide larger venues for team-teaching and project-based learning. Moveable walls painted with whiteboard paint replace chalkboards, and cutting-edge technology is integrated throughout in the form of mobile, interactive displays.
An open, centralized “collaboration stair” creates a hub for student activity, as well as a presentation venue with seating for approximately 150 students, with standing room above for many more. Rich with technology in the form of a 16-foot wide by 9-foot high media wall, this hub can be used by students in a variety of ways – from breakout space, to large group lecture, to student presentations, and more. Clad in wood with multi-colored acoustic panels, it creates a warm and casual social gathering space for student interaction.
Materials and finishes throughout the school building reflect the District’s pride in their identity and love for athletics. On the exterior, alternating shades of blue glass panels create an aesthetic feature, combining with red brick to blend with the surrounding neighborhood. Inside the school, light walls contrast with bright blue and green accents, providing pops of color in strategic locations. Additional interior elements of wood adorning beams, collaboration stairs, and features in the newly appointed “Commons” area give warmth and comfort, and balance glass walls and surfaces throughout. Generous windows allow natural light to penetrate, provide views outdoors, and help the District reach sustainability goals, including energy cost reduction.
The design and workmanship has created a learning environment that can effectively change the playing field for the delivery of instruction and the changing needs of our students for decades to come. The Lake Middle/High School is a state-of-the-art learning environment that allows Lake Local to bring its vision of teaching and learning to life.
Kevin Tobin, Superintendent, Lake Local Schools
1 of 22