2009 Design Award Winner

Hickory Creek Middle School
The new Hickory Creek Middle School provided Frankfort School District with its first opportunity to incorporate the middle school philosophy of ‘school within a school’ into the District’s curriculum. The school is organized with a main circulation spine off which the cafetorium, music program spaces, library, gymnasium and administrative wing are located. Running parallel to the main spine is a secondary spine along which the three academic grade level “schools” are arranged and separated by courtyards utilized as outdoor classrooms.

Classrooms and support spaces are arranged to accommodate changes in enrollment between grades from one year to the next. With a current capacity of 1,050 students, core facilities were designed to accommodate up to 1,400 students. The large 180,000 sf school achieves a human scale through the use of a one-story entry sequence that reduces the scale of the larger wings. 

Spaces throughout the school were designed to accommodate multi-purpose programs. To provide a meal-time space and support the school’s strong performing arts program, a cafetorium was designed, serving as both cafeteria and performance area. Additionally, the cafetorium and gymnasium have secure entrances to allow for use by community groups outside of school hours. 

Sustainable features support this school’s design. Extensive use of daylighting through skylights in all teaching spaces and corridors improves energy efficiency and student productivity.  Playgrounds are made from recycled tires and wood mulch, and native landscaping provide a natural habitat, stabilizing slopes of detention areas and reducing irrigation and landscaping costs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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