Olympic Middle School
| Owner | Shelton School District |
|---|---|
| Completed | 2004 |
| Area | 78,137 SF |
| Capacity | 600 students |
| Cost | $10.8 million |
Olympic Middle School sits on a 21 acre site. The school is organized around a central commons with dual-extending classroom wings. The shared spaces (library, administration, gymnasium, music, food services, etc.) flank the perimeter of the commons to achieve a greater sense of community and avoid zones of isolation. Site design features include parking for staff and visitors, a student/parent drop-off, and separate student bus loading as well as play field areas.
A key success of the project is in the way it was conceived and ultimately designed. To encourage greater client involvement during the design process, a “hands-on” design approach was implemented. The client/user groups were engaged in design exercises that nurtured individual expression, open communication, group collaboration as well as a sense of pride and purpose. Greater overall acceptance and project satisfaction was realized through a sense of “design ownership.”