ELEMENTARYEXPERIENCESCHOOL
3People. Service. Solutions. DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR DISTRICT’S FULL POTENTIAL We guide clients through process, collaboration and imagination to realize exceptional environments to work, live, learn and play. VLK MISSION
4 VLK Architects, Inc. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience Birdville ISD Cheney Hills Elementary School The new Cheney Hills Elementary School includes all programs comparable to Birdville ISD’s newest elementary schools, incorporate next generation learning and collaborative learning environments for both students and teachers. The design provides a new safe & supportive learning environment for 750 students.101,1342022 sf Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information
5People. Service. Solutions. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
Keller ISD Forence Elementary School Replacement
This project is one of four prototype elementary schools replacing aging district facilities that were no longer able to support Keller ISD’s vision for elementary education. The project was built upon and incorporated the many strong traditions of Keller ISD while creating new learning and teaching opportunities that support collaborative, risk-free teaching, learning, and working environments that engage all students through innovative curriculum and instruction.
6 VLK Architects, Inc. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
93,5632022 sf Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information
7People. Service. Solutions. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
8 VLK Architects, Inc. Hutto ISD Modernizations and Improvements at Hutto Elementary Schools VLK provided full services for modernizations and improvements to Veterans’ Hill ES, Ray ES, Nadine Johnson ES, & Cottonwood Creek ES. The scope included renovation of the school’s libraries to provide nextgeneration learning and collaborative environments for both teachers and students, including new finishes, infrastructure, amenities, and energy efficient construction to make these schools equitable with the newest elementary schools in the district. Varies2021 by Campus Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
9People. Service. Solutions. Learn About the Hutto Elementary Schools Scan me! VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
10 VLK Architects, Inc.
Crowley ISD’s newest elementary school represents the reinvention of the district's prototype elementary building. The new design reflects a strong transformative learning approach, incorporating a variety of learning space types that foster collaboration, creativity and flexibility. A playful incorporation of learning tools are included in the design such as imperial and metric rulers inlaid in the corridor flooring extending through each classroom wing to serve as a way-finding device. An outdoor teaching space provides planting beds for demonstration gardening, water reclamation practice, and a tiered group teaching area and native plantings are identified throughout the site. The campus utilizes a geothermal HVAC system and employs numerous LEED and CHPS concepts to achieve an energy efficient sustainable design solution.
Crowley ISD June Davis Elementary School 89,4502019 sf Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
11People. Service. Solutions. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
This project calls for a full modernization of Brentwood Elementary School through a combination of partial rebuild and partial renovation work. The program will increase capacity of the campus from 585 to 696 students. The design of the learning environment will incorporate “learning neighborhoods” that provide specialized spaces that are both flexible and adaptable over time.
Est.
Three A.I. Studios to serve the varying age groups are incorporated in the new design. These spaces are separated acoustically from adjacent spaces, with special care given to the design of room partitions, ceiling/floor assemblies and the HVAC equipment and ductwork serving the Studios. Floor, wall, and ceiling materials are specified that will provide an acoustically quite space to enhance teaching and learning in the A.I. program.
12 VLK Architects, Inc.
Brentwood is also one of the Austin ISD specialized campuses that services Auditory Impaired students.
Austin ISD Brentwood Elementary School Modernizations 99,3012022sf ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information
Year
13People. Service. Solutions. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
14 VLK Architects, Inc. Houston ISD Condit Elementary School 83,1542017 sf Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information
Condit Elementary is embedded into the neighborhood fabric of Bellaire, Texas - a school that has served the community for over 90 years. The design reflects the history of the community and elevates the educational spaces to support nextgeneration learning. The library is integrated as part of the school circulation and is called the learning commons. It is not dedicated to books alone but to collaboration and technology, as well. Every classroom connects directly to the learning commons, and by proxy, the books. Students and educators have immediate access to a space that encourages collaboration among peers in both small and large groups, making it a part of their daily experience. The traditional role of the librarian has transformed into a media specialist, serving as a second educator for every classroom. Education expands beyond the walls of the classrooms and teachers engage the new learning commons as an active multi-purpose experience for the students.
2018 Exhibit of School Architecture Caudill Award Winner VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
15People. Service. Solutions. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
sf Year
VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information
Katy ISD Bethke Elementary School
144,3032016
This two-story collaborative learning environment is organized to house specific grade levels while providing collaboration areas for each team. The overall building allows natural light into classrooms to promote student comfort and achievement. Two stories of science labs offer outdoor access with a balcony for older students, while the library media center is an active learning area. Teachers meet, plan and review data in their Instructional Design Area for grade level needs.
16 VLK Architects, Inc.
Innovative spaces provide for transformed instruction. Students experience an extension of their learning environment with innovative areas outside classrooms. Students can take their technology needs with them around the school, and recharge their devices. Large group areas allow teachers to design lessons for a variety of curricular needs as well as a student group size. Classrooms are uniquely shaped allowing for personalization of space based on curriculum and instruction needs. Exhibit of School Architecture Stars of Distinction Value, Planning & School Transformation
2018
17People. Service. Solutions. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
18 VLK Architects, Inc. Clear Creek ISD McWhirter Elementary School A true “community school,” the design of McWhirter Replacement Elementary provides both preK - fifth grade and adult community education spaces in one campus. Grade-level based neighborhoods feature collaborative spaces and technology connectivity. Collaborative areas are teamed with computer labs enclosed by folding glass walls to create break-out spaces. Art and science classrooms feature outside project areas. The community education area features classrooms with operable walls to create different scale environments for after hours adult education.134,2832016 sf Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
The elementary school design features classrooms designed collaborativearoundflex areas that will support science instruction in wet/dry project areas. This new building includes administrative offices, classrooms, multiple common area hubs for interactive collaborative spaces, library, computer labs, cafetoruim, and a full service kitchen for future sharing with the addition of phase two construction for the new middle school. Purple Heart Elementary School is Phase 1 of a master planned campus. The master plan is zoned allowing each campus to have its own entrance, parking, dropoff areas, outdoor instructional, and athletic areas. Internally, the campuses will share library, food service, and some athletic areas.
19People. Service. Solutions.
Socorro ISD Purple Heart Elementary School
111,0002014 sf Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
The first new elementary school for the Bridgeland community, this two-story facility not only provides students views of the lake located across the street, but also offers separate learning levels for each grade. Collaboration with the district’s curriculum and facilities departments prioritized objectives, including taking advantage of the site and master planned community amenities; ensuring design supported both acoustically sound pre-k/k classrooms and open concept older age classrooms; integration of green concepts for teaching and learning; and design to meet Texas Collaborative for High Performance Schools. These transformative spaces evolve with students and transcend future teaching methods by extending each grade level pod via glass operable walls, and allow for large group, small group, and individualized student learning. They are equipped for both wet and dry projects, as well as progressing technology. Exhibit of School Architecture Stars of Distinction Community, Design, Value, Sustainability & School Transformation Year
2018
20 VLK Architects, Inc.
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Sue Gratehouse Pope Elementary School
116,5002013 sf
21People. Service. Solutions.
Dr. Mark Henry Superintendent, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
“Pope Elementary is an example of how building design can enhance learning opportunities”
VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Janet Brenner Hoover Elementary School
116,0002017 sf Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
Hoover Elementary School meets the district’s mission to support open and collaborative next generation learning environments, while also respecting development patterns of children, ages four through eight. Classrooms pods include flex spaces equipped with unique teaching tools which extend the learning environment into the corridors. Floor graphics have been designed that support the curriculum for Pre-K-2nd grade students. The design and location of these graphics are aligned to specific Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for geometry and measurement at each grade level. In addition to flexible and collaborative learning environments, the design incorporates Texas Collaborative for High Performance Schools (TX-CHPS) initiatives. Through an innovative educational dashboard, the school’s energy consumption will be measured and displayed in the building, allowing for a specialized learning opportunity, integrating math and science for students.
22 VLK Architects, Inc.
23People. Service. Solutions. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
24 VLK Architects, Inc.
Waller ISD H.T. Jones Elementary School
Built in 1956, the existing facility needed upgrades to match the district’s educational specifications and teaching initiatives. The new Jones Replacement Elementary School was part of Waller ISD’s 2015 November Bond Election. Due to the district’s increased student growth, the new Jones Replacement Elementary School helps house 500 more students than its previous facility.
The new school includes a new central library, gymnasium, playground equipment, cafeteria, and a flexible learning environment with collaborative spaces and teaching spaces for various sizes of student groups. The previous facility remained occupied until the new facility was completed and staff and students relocated to their new home in August 2017.
106,3002017 sf Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
25People. Service. Solutions. VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
Lamar CISD Don Carter Elementary School
The building is designed to allow for ease of student circulation and to facilitate supervision and administration, all while providing a safe and secure campus. The new campus design features a long central corridor with administration, fine arts, special programs areas, a media center, gym, cafeteria, and large group instruction spaces. Six classroom pods break off of the main shared corridor, divided by grade level. Each grade level pod has its own special programs area as well as collaboration spaces and restrooms centralized for use by each classroom. Students will easily be able to identify their grade level pod based on wall accents, flooring, and furniture selections color coded for each section of the school. Safety and security attributes were a priority when developing this prototype campus. Outdoor learning courtyards were strategically placed with secured fences between classroom pods. Separate parent and bus drop-off areas control traffic flow and make it easier to monitor students arriving and departing each day. The building was also designed with a secure main entry near the administration space.
26 VLK Architects, Inc.
94,9782018 sf Year ProjectSquareBuilt:Footage:Information VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
27People. Service. Solutions. Learn About Don Carter Elementary School Scan me! VLK Architects | Elementary School Experience
VLK | EDGE®
The formalization of VLK | EDGE® permeates our practice with focused dialogue built around scholarly research findings, where students’, teachers’, and principals’ voices provide foundational authenticity for school design. Research has strengthened us a firm, informs our teams, and has sparked questions related to deep instructional pedagogical beliefs. It spurs us to consider a variety of aspects related to teaching and learning as they relate to purposefully designed space. Additionally, VLK | EDGE® drives continual improvement cycles across all market sectors of our firm. We have become expert at identifying what we need to know next with a long list of future research projects. Our first scholarly research project, The Impact of Learning Environments on Student Engagement (Oliveras-Ortiz, Bouillion, & Asbury, 2017) served as the catalyst for formalizing and branding the importance of the system that reciprocates the relationship between what we know, and what we need to know for tomorrow. VLK | EDGE® is that overarching system, facilitating our firm’s continual learning as architectural design professionals. Until recently, the scholarly body of knowledge was void of evidence that design influenced student engagement. We have an established partnership with The University of Texas at Tyler whereby approval is maintained to conduct original research, with approval of the IRB, to study the learning environments, as well as the changes in teaching and learning that occur within the spaces that VLK Architects designed. Our results serve as a dialogue within our firm, informing tomorrow’s educational design practice. We discuss pedagogy and instructional methodologies while we debate the instructional and career needs for tomorrow’s learners, and apply what we learn to know that our designs matter. We are continually involved in a research project, and are proud that one of our studies was recently published in the prestigious Journal of Education. Future research will include all facets of our firm. Research focused on examining how architectural spaces influence cognition is growing more apparent. This is of interest to us, as we have all entered a place that just “feels” right; this is due to the details associated with the built environment. Interiors might bestow calm or alternatively, invite exuberance, depending on the design. What causes this? This is one of our driving questions for continual research. Through initiatives like VLK | CURATION® and VLK | EDGE®, we are illuminating the idea that buildings are more than just transactional spaces. VLK is dedicated to exploring one of our core beliefs, that what happens in our lives is intricately linked to where it happens. Space makes place. Just as K-12 and Higher Education spaces affect how we learn, commercial and interior architecture affects how we live - the quality of our experiences and how we remember them.
VLK | EDGE® contributes to the educational canon, expects us to transfer our learning in the field of architecture, and urges us to seek the next problem we can solve for our clients.
28 VLK Architects, Inc. VLK Architects | Specialized Services LEARN ABOUT VLK | EDGE® Scan me!
VLK Architects | Specialized Services
VLK | CURATION® is our thorough process of action research with the school district. Our Educational Planning Team uses district data such as strategic plans, innovative district plans, goals for curriculum and instruction, current instructional methodologies, academic programs, and state data. Using a district leadership focus group, and a highly collaborative process, we dialogue about teaching and learning via a Curriculum and Instruction Design Planning Questionnaire. We also use a learning organization tool to discern the current status of the district’s belief system, as well as the intentions for growth, improvements, and educational changes. VLK Architects also uses a simple teacher observation protocol to study the learning styles of students in the district. Through simple statistics, we can discern the types of spaces that will be most beneficial for learners based on the results of these tools. The outcomes of VLK | CURATION® form the foundation that will drive all aspects of design.
VLK | CURATION®
VLKDISCOVER|CURATION®Scan me!
me!
Our charrette process captures stakeholder voices in a collaborative inquiry-based process to create your conceptual design that our architects bring to life. Utilizing the VLK | CURATION® report, recommended potential spaces are then considered by a larger team of decision makers where we capture community voice in VLK | LAUNCH®. In this process, we invite district leaders, campus leaders, teachers, students, and community/business leaders to create the conceptual framework, vocabulary, and vision of the project. All participants form a larger design team that ultimately creates the design concept that will result in the actual project. This process is controlled by the district’s priorities established during VLK | CURATION®. Design team members are invited by the district and VLK Architects staff work with teams to ensure the conceptual design ideas are feasible. Scan
VLK | LAUNCH®
VLK Architects | Specialized Services
VLKEXPLORE|LAUNCH®
VLK Architects | Specialized Services VLK | PIXEL VLK recognizes that your brand identity differentiates you from your competition. Whether new or existing, your facility should represent who you are and what sets you apart from the rest. We have extensive experience helping clients establish, define, and communicate their brand, exploring the ways it can be expressed throughout facilities. Through a consensus-building process, your values and strengths are clarified and interpreted creatively to establish new brand assets such as colors, logos, iconography, and messaging that ultimately are conveyed throughout the physical space. EXPERIENCEVLK|PIXELScan me!
32 VLK Architects, Inc. VLK Architects | Specialized Services
Scan me! LEARN MORE ABOUT VLK
A
VLK Architects’ visualization studio, VLK XD (Experience Design), pushes the boundaries of exploration in the design process through the creation of renderings, animations, virtual reality experiences and 360 degree facility tours. multitude of software platforms and drone technologies allow clients to experience all facets of a project in an immersive environment prior to and after a design is complete. Allowing our clients to showcase their developments, projects and spaces in a way that transcends the boundaries of two-dimensional imagery. We move you and your clients beyond the image on the screen and INTO the project, for an immersive experience. XD
