PROJECT DETAILS
LOCATION : Maplewood, Missouri
MARKET : Education
AREA :
With enrollment growth more than 60% in 15 years, the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District was facing larger cohorts heading to the High School/Middle School, a shared facility that had last been renovated when class sizes were much smaller. Security concerns also needed to be addressed at all district campuses, and deferred maintenance had left facilities with substantial plumbing, HVAC, and building enclosure issues. Starting in 2019, Cordogan Clark led the community through several months of planning to address the immediate and long-term needs of the District. A two-phase Master Plan was developed for the High School/Middle School, addressing space and curriculum needs for the next 10 years. After the 2020 passage of the largest bond referendum in the District's history, MRH School District was able to realize the first phase of the Master Plan. With a landlocked site bordered by two public streets, the municipal pool and library, and an existing athletic track and field, the new design carefully utilizes all available open space to accomplish several goals: give both the middle school and the high school identifiable and accessible, but separate, entrances off the parking lot; isolate the middle school circulation routes from the high school corridors; consolidate student services for increased efficiency; and expand the assembly spaces to better serve school populations as well as the community. This is accomplished through three additions: a small expansion of the cafeteria to provide more dining space; a secure entry addition to accommodate the relocated Middle School administration; and a sizable three-story addition featuring a practice gym, weight rooms, locker rooms, Student Services, professional development space, and the alternative high school. A sunken courtyard bounded on two sides by the existing building, and on a third by the addition, provides a safe and inspirational outdoor area for students to gather and relax.
