DESIGNWORKS 2023

Charlotte Christian School Middle and Upper School Replacements

Charlotte, NC

LS3P

This 55,000SF Middle and Upper School is focused on STEM education and creating a space that embodies this school’s core values while offering flexibility to teachers and students.

For over two decades, we have had the privilege of being the project architect and designer for a private Christian school in Charlotte, NC. When the time came to replace their middle school, we embraced the challenge with enthusiasm. The focal point of their new Middle and Upper School is the exceptional STEM Suites, a testament to our dedication to cultivating the next generation of innovators. This state-of-the-art space features angular ceiling panels, a new robotic practice fields, and reconfigurable furniture, offering flexibility and adaptability for diverse learning experiences. Our design seamlessly integrates school pride elements, including the school signature blue color, mascot, and inspiration scripture displays reinforcing the core values cherished by the institution. The main stairway, incorporating a symbolic cross, serves as not only a powerful reminder of faith, but it also provides a visually striking focal point that doubles and acoustics for this double height space. Surrounding this area, you will find carpet that resembles DNA or Circuit boards reinforcing the STEM focus at this school. In the upper school you will see dedicated spaces for student collaboration and gatherings. In the upper school we took the STEM approach and made it more sophisticated in the ceiling, wall, and floor pattern designs. We also included a solar canopy for the students to study and see the impacts of in real time with trackers throughout the school. Our partnership with this esteemed institution continues to thrive, and we are honored to have played a pivotal role in shaping their education landscape.

Design Solution
With the challenging task of designing a new middle and upper school within a tight footprint, we exceeded expectation by crafting an innovative and functional space that meets the evolving needs of the institution. Working with our furniture vendors from the beginning we were able to optimize the size of the classrooms to maximize the space we were allocated for general classrooms so that we could create an exceptional STEM suite.

As we walked through existing spaces on their campus, the staff explained their dislike of other colors within the buildings that didn’t correlate with their brand and wasn’t “their” colors. We wanted to let them know that we heard them and used their main school colors throughout the building with only small pops of different colors to create interest. Additionally with such a small footprint acoustics were going to be a concern, so we worked with different manufacturers to incorporate carpet into the corridors and acoustic panels where additional noise reduction was needed. This project is a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating educational spaces that transcend traditional boundaries.

Our design concept for the middle and upper school embodies the perfect harmony between STEM education, school pride, and spiritual values. Through meticulous planning and attention to detail, we have successfully woven together elements that inspire, engage, and uplift students. The cutting-edge STEM suites serve as a beacon of innovation, equipped to change as the landscape of STEM changes. By infusing the schools’ colors, mascot, and scripture displays throughout the space, we have created an environment that instills a profound sense of belonging and pride. We have always tried to incorporate a symbolic cross into all their project and the acoustic panel cross design at the main stairway symbolizes the institutions core values and provides a powerful visual focal point. This project embodies commitment to designing spaces that seamlessly integrate academia, identity, and spirituality, nurturing the holistic development of students.