The most important goal for this project was to create an enhanced environment for a student-centric learning.  A variety of learning spaces encourage differing educational methodologies and promote the development of twenty-first century skills including communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving and global citizenship.  Flexibility and adaptability within and between grade level classrooms and through adjacencies with learning commons are key elements to supporting a student-centered learning experience that is inviting, engaging, relevant, robust, and dynamic.

Another major design catalyst was the existing topography and keeping the existing building in use while construction started.  This change in elevation along with the number of at grade classrooms results in a plan building that steps down the slope.  Maintaining the existing forested area provides an environment that most new schools must wait years to attain.

Classrooms provide a good visual connection with shared collaborative areas, both indoors and out.  A large learning stair is located at the heart of the building and links the Media Center above to the Cafeteria and Multi-Purpose Room below. Our Associated Architect and Educational Planner was SMMA of Cambridge, MA. Photos by Jim Sink.

The Town of Knightdale, NC has awarded Neuse River Middle School it’s 2021 Community Appearance Award. The announcement came at the January 19th Town Council Meeting. Development Services Director James Brown said that the transformation from the existing East Wake Middle School to the new Neuse River Middle School is an “amazing transformation of the campus” and “creates a great streetscape and a great learning environment” for the students.

This 230,000 SF project features collaborative spaces, a theater, and two separate gymnasiums. Through the careful design of spaces, we were able to create education pods within the school. Each grade level was divided into two main areas. Each area has direct and clear pathways to extracurricular areas and classrooms. This limits distracting encounters between students in different teams and reduces ambient corridor noise while maintaining a small-community atmosphere despite a core capacity of 1,592 year-round students.

Holly Springs, NC

Wake County leaders gathered on Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 for the ground breaking of the newest WCPSS elementary school to begin construction. The 130,000 sf facility will serve students from Pre-K through 5th grade with a core capacity of 800 students. The site is also planned for a future middle school that will relate to the elementary school forming a true campus experience for these young learners. Scheduled to open in early 2023 in a growing area of Wake County, the design team is excited to see Woods Creek Elementary School begin to rise from the site and take shape. We will bring you periodic updates as the construction progresses.

The Kindergarten & 1st Grade Wing — Plan illustrates learning collaboration spaces throughout and covered areas for exterior project based learning experiences. This plan will allow for great flexibility of different learning modalities.

Kindergarten Learning Commons

Evaluating the sloping site and the program created opportunities to provide all classrooms access from their floor to the exterior grade. This type of access allows administration, teachers and students the most flexibility in regards to classroom assignment, teaching opportunities, and a variety of learning environments. The sloping roof provides clerestory windows to illuminate spaces deep within the building allowing natural light throughout the facility.

Learning Stair

Media Center

Lower Level Learning Commons

The overall plan is in four parts. A two story classroom wing with the lower story on ground level and the upper story at the same level as the remainder of the building, houses classrooms for several grades. The center massing contains all shared program components such as media center, cafeteria, multi-purpose room, and administration. A one story wing serves the lower grades and another smaller wing houses the pre-K and special education classrooms.

“Treehouse” Small Collaboration Space

Learning Bench

Main Entry Lobby