Department of Defense Education Activity
- k12 education, interiors
- Fort Benning, Georgia
Project Scope
119,626 SF
Construction Type
New
Project Delivery Method
Design-Bid-Build
Project Components
Elementary with learning neighborhoods, photovoltaic solar arrays, geometric wall shapes that concentrate voice signals, sundials, bioswales, rainwater harvesting, and signage along the campus identifying the site’s native vegetation, a large tile mosaic wall portrait of Corp. Morris McBride, demolition of the existing McBride school, additional playfields, and open space/park for the surrounding neighborhood
McBride Elementary School is a Pre-K through 5th-grade school on the Fort Benning, Ga., military installation. The school is one of the Department of Defense Education Activity's first 21st Century schools.
Based on the DoDEA 21st-Century Education Facilities Specifications, the 21st-Century School resulted from an extensive research and planning process to the new definition of how school design can impact how education will be delivered. Parkhill was one of five firms nationally to participate as thought leaders and educators in the development of the 21st Century Education Specifications. Vital elements of 21st Century schools are collaborative learning, collaborative teaching/planning, high visibility of technology and art programs, sustainability, connections to the outdoors, and using the school building as a teaching tool.
McBride Elementary includes seven Learning Neighborhoods — each with four Learning Studios. The classroom is no longer also the teacher's office. Collaboration among educators is as critical to 21st-century teaching as is student collaboration. Additionally, a Group/Virtual Learning Room is included in each Neighborhood so that students can communicate with their peers at other schools and around the globe. One-to-one space provides opportunities for individual engagement to learners who may need tutoring or counseling.
Sustainable design is also integrated into the school, which earned the project LEED Silver Status from the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program. The requirement for 40% energy reduction over similar facilities' baseline consumption provides DoDEA a high-performing, efficient facility.
The opportunity to teach the concepts of sustainability and stewardship of the Earth's resources is also a vital element in the 21st Century philosophy as teaching tools. These include photovoltaic solar arrays, geometric wall shapes that concentrate voice signals, sundials, bioswales, rainwater harvesting, and signage along the campus identifying the site's native vegetation. As a cultural teaching tool, a large tile mosaic wall portrait of Corporal Morris McBride is located on the Commons' interior to highlight the heroic efforts of this school's namesake.
Archello: DODEA McBride Elementary School
The Namesake of McBride Elementary
Awards
American Institute of Architects Lubbock 2017 Design Awards, Honor Award
Sustainability/LEED
LEED Silver Status
Project leadership
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