The joy of architecture and design fully settles in when the work is complete with furniture, fixtures and equipment. The all-encompassing feel within the space, the stability of the structure and the savvy of the concept, work in tandem with each other to truly make the work a resounding success. Finally, looking at how the space is meant to work and then if it actually works, whether it is a school, hospital, community center or office building is the final piece of the puzzle. Here are five Lionakis K-12 projects that exemplify all these attributes, but are especially dazzling from the inside out.
The library isn’t what it used to be! This new multi-media room provides a computer bar, access to books, large windows and efficient overhead lighting when needed. Soft seating and more traditional chairs provide space to work, quietly socialize and also have easy access to the latest reading material and technology. Bright, but integrated color schemes keep the room airy and light and the mobile furniture means group sessions and impromptu learning opportunities can take place at any time.
With a unique roll top door providing continuous flow from the outside to the indoor cafe, this design detail has a big impact on student life on environmentally conscious Calistoga High School. Whether open or closed, abundant daylight floods the room and keeps the energy levels healthy and the air circulating. Lightweight but sturdy dining furnishings complement the flexible nature of the space and they can easily be moved for larger rallies, meetings or school community events.
The CTE (Career Technical Education) transformation project at Roseville High School meant that it’s Culinary Arts and Fashion Merchandising programs would finally have a cohesive home. The project made space for a lab for each program, including a commercial teaching kitchen in the former 1950’s Home Economics space. The Tiger Café was created between the two labs as a venue for restaurant food service as well as fashion shows and gathering. Fashion Merchandising includes a robust business – the class produces much of the branded logo sportswear for the entire Roseville Joint Union High School District!
Student gathering spaces, indoors and out, were non-existent at Franklin High School, so the vision for soft furnishings and technology-rich wireless resources to be made widely available was a top priority. Stockton Unified adopted a small learning community strategy for all of its comprehensive high schools so the new classroom buildings include project rooms, wireless internet lounges and small break-out spaces. New District Sustainability Standards were created including using recycled, renewable and local materials, incorporating natural daylighting, lighting controls and health-conscious displacement ventilation systems.
The new Sylvan Middle School has a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) focus and the building brings this program to life. A new learning commons, student maker lab, art lab and music space all exemplify the STEAM learning environment while still remaining flexible on the interior and the exterior. Seamless transition spaces and a combination of new construction and modernization has transformed a 60-year-old elementary school into a brand new replacement middle school.
The 21st century K-12 school is here and it will be amazing to see the design evolutions that come next! To see more K-12 educational projects Lionakis has completed, have a look here.
