Fairview Independent High School in Kentucky, Tennessee by Nomi Design

Article source: Nomi Design

Located on the outskirts of Ashland, Kentucky, Westwood is a small, yet tight knit community.  Originating in the 1920’s as a steelworker’s enclave, it has suffered its share of set-backs with the decline of that industry. Currently, 14% of the occupants of Westwood are under the poverty line, 20% of those under 18 years of age. With that said, schools really need to matter here.  In underserved communities in our commonwealth, schools can be the saving grace for many children. A focus on custom design drove everything we did as we worked to create a unique, functional, responsible, beautiful place. In the case of Westwood/Fairview, we have what we find often in Kentucky as a rural/urban center. This small community has its town core anchored heavily by this school.  By encouraging the school leaders to save the existing buildings and add something with an Architectural presence, we created a neighborhood identity through a new architecture at the same time conserving an existing landscape. By the sheer nature of the infill we could provide the school with a Main Street front door and create a walkable condition for the students.  Small communities in many places also use their schools as community centers and a place to gather and this is no different. This is now a new, vibrant public space for those with and without children. As with all schools, design on the human scale is pertinent so that the children feel engaged with the spaces they will learn in. It is our belief that for children to be inspired, they must learn in inspired spaces.

Image Courtesy © Nomi Design

• Architects: Nomi Design
• Project: Fairview Independent High School
• Location: Kentucky, Tennessee, USA

Image Courtesy © Nomi Design

Our goal with this project was to create a sense of identity for this community via the architecture of this school.  Never had the Middle and High Schools been combined and we felt this needed to be an identifiable, contemporary insertion on this campus.   Given the nature of the original 1960’s buildings, we had challenges working through the placement of the addition however after many site visits and meetings with the owner, it was apparent where it needed to be placed.  By filling in the interstitial spaces between the existing buildings, we created an entry, gathering space and classroom volume that allowed connection when desired and separation when required.  Existing spaces were renovated to group together core programs that every student accessed daily.  The flow of the students from Main Street or the bus drop off into the main gathering area coupled with the curvilinear forms both in plan and section have a swirling effect so students can mix and mingle before arriving in their respective classroom wings.  From the street, a new line is struck architecturally with a bold form move, transparent glazing and a vertical bell tower.  Now, a school that had no identifiable entry point, is presented with a clear front door.

Image Courtesy © Nomi Design

Image Courtesy © Nomi Design

The design team employed several traditional materials used in schools however they did so in a contemporary way.  With the 1960’s elements as a baseline, the present themes were exposed structure and tectum deck, along with exposed block and metal windows.  The new materials complemented the existing and were used as follows: Steel and CMU structure, brick veneer with limestone window trim, polished concrete floors, standing seam metal roof, tectum roof decking, wood grille ceiling, heavily insulated CMU walls. All the MEP systems were exposed in most of the addition. A VAV system was utilized in this project for more flexibility between spaces and all LED lighting was installed for greater efficiency.

Image Courtesy © Nomi Design

Image Courtesy © Nomi Design

As an overall Architectural element, this building stands as a branded environment for those who will attend this school.  This is an identifiable element that the children of Fairview can relate to and be proud of.

Image Courtesy © Nomi Design

Image Courtesy © Nomi Design

Tags: Tennessee, USA

Category: School

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