Amos Alonzo Stagg High School was experiencing overcrowding, requiring students to take “zero-hour” classes due to an insufficient number of science labs. Meanwhile, corridors were so congested that students were unable to reach classes on time. The property was fully utilized, so Studio GC designed additions within the building footprint.
Site constraints necessitated that the South Addition be built within a cherished existing courtyard, so it became a priority to create a dynamic, fully accessible outdoor learning space within the scope of the project. Quantitative and qualitative research was conducted during schematic visioning sessions with students, resulting in the development of the roof into an outdoor science classroom. The greenhouse, urban garden, bee apiary, green roof, and future solar and wind stations are scientific areas of active project-based learning. Research conducted by a local arboretum for the courtyard provided guidance on which plants would be incorporated into the new learning landscape.
Meanwhile, the North Addition features a second-story connection between two previously unconnected wings of the school, which alters traffic patterns to relieve congestion. The new corridor features an open staircase with a glass curtain wall that offers expansive views of the outdoor green space, enticing students to explore.
