Merit Award – Renovation / Addition PK-5
Samaha Associates was commissioned to provide design and construction services for additions and renovations to Nottingham Elementary School. The original school was constructed in 1951. The first addition was in 1962, with subsequent additions and renovations in 1991 and 1997. The existing building is undersized and does not meet current Arlington Public Schools Design Guidelines.
Samaha Associates added additional spaces to meet the design guidelines, entirely renovated the existing building excluding the recently added gymnasium, and reconfigured the site circulation and parking to improve safety and convenience.
The addition included a new administration suite, a teachers’ lounge and work area, four classrooms, a computer lab, offices, a new media center, an art suite, a music suite, two reading rooms, a guidance space, a gifted and talented space, and a testing/conference space.
Merit Award – New Construction 6-12
A projected increase in enrollment from 2,100 students to 2,500 students over the next five to seven years and a worn-out existing building created the need for the new TC Williams High School in Alexandria. With no available land in the City large enough to accommodate a facility of its size, it was determined that the existing school site was the only practical location for the new high school. Consequently, the project was construction in phases while the existing school remained in operation until the new school was complete. The school site is adjacent to the existing Chinquapin Park and Recreation Center and shares the athletic facilities.
In an effort to decrease the perceived size of a 2,500 student school, the classroom portions of the building were broken down into five academic houses, each having its own decentralized administrative offices. The academic houses were split into 2 three story sections on each side of a central student dining/commons area that provides natural light from clerestory windows and a roof garden above. This commons area also opens to a small outside amphitheater allowing the students an outdoor space for dining on campus.
The main circulation spine East to West through the building anchors a 1,200 seat auditorium at one end and a 3,000 seat competition gymnasium at the other end. The Media/Technology Information Center is located on the second floor between the two academic houses. This space has a large expanse of North facing glass to allow indirect natural light into the reading room. Also located on the second floor are a series of technology and art related classrooms. Science classrooms are located within each academic house.
Merit Award – New Construction 6-12
Manassas Park Middle School
Manassas Park City Schools
VMDO Architects