Tuscaloosa, AL

Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School

Early Childhood School / Elementary School

New Construction

Entire Building

2024 Outstanding Project

Serving nearly 500 students, the new 76,635 square foot Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School was constructed on the existing site of the original 1950s-era school. The two-story building contains 28 classrooms, a cafeteria, a multi-purpose innovation center, a multi-use gymnasium/auditorium, two self-contained classrooms, a storm shelter and a central teaching exterior courtyard.

Our design team strived to achieve several design goals including maximizing daylight, honoring the legacy of the school’s namesake, and providing flexibility of spaces featured within the school. Maximizing daylight was accomplished by placing large windows at key locations to help natural light transverse into interior rooms.    

A vibrant, energetic color scheme, along with custom graphic wallcoverings and quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. honor the legacy of the civil rights leader. The elementary school practices a motto called “The MLK Way” featuring three key words: intelligence, character, and perseverance. The school’s motto is centered around a triangular design, which inspired the angular designs of the floor patterns and wall graphics used throughout the building.

Architect

Caldwell Architects

1490 Northbank Parkway, Ste. 212
Tuscalooa, AL 35406
caldwellarchitects.com
205-752-4420

Design Team

  • Amason & Associates, General Contractor

Owner/Client

Tuscaloosa City Schools
Tuscaloosa, AL
Dr. Mike Daria, Superintendent

Key Stats

  • Grades Served: K–5
  • Capacity of Students/Occupants: 500
  • Gross Area of Bldg./Space: 76,635 gsf
  • Space per Student: 153.27 sq. ft.
  • Cost per Student: $34,811
  • Square Foot Cost: $227
  • Project Cost: $17,405,705
  • Occupation Date: 4/30/2020

Award Issue

Spring 2024
— Outstanding Project

Photography

@Caldwell Architects