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December 7, 2016
Transformation of Granbury
High School was featured in the November 2016 issue of American School & University magazine. GHS was selected for recognition by the
magazine for Outstanding Design, which was led by the Huckabee school
architectural firm.
Construction
at the high school began in November 2014 with principal work completed this fall. The
Buford Thompson Company is the construction manager at-risk for all GISD bond
projects and is working alongside Huckabee.
“The reconstruction of
Granbury High School transformed a 40-year-old school into a state-of-the-art
educational facility that provides choice-drive environments for students and
educators,” the article reads. “The
design team partnered with the faculty, students, parents, and the community to
rethink the district’s approach to educational delivery. The team explored emerging pedagogies and
technologies and how to build design and furniture selection would support 21st
century learning.”
The renovations and additions
to the high school campus were part of the $84.9 million bond program approved
by Granbury ISD voters in November 2013. Additions were for career and
technical education, fine arts, ninth grade academic classrooms, and office
area with a secure entry. The plan also included building a robust technology
infrastructure for model classrooms throughout the school district.
The design features a
collegiate look with Granbury stone used prominently to provide a consistent
look throughout the exterior of the building with entry points clearly
distinguished for parents and visitors.
Inside, a commons area is the focal point of the interior with the
cafeteria, library, and coffee bar similar to a university student center.
The article says the “design
centers on the student, providing spaces that are interesting, engaging, and
adaptable. Scope included the addition
of a ninth-grade wing and a career and technology wing, improvements to fine
arts, and the design of an open-concept student union, dining hall, and media
center where students can gather to collaborate, socialize, and study.”
Academic departments are grouped,
with teachers having common office areas to meet individually with students,
for tutoring, and for collaboration with their colleagues. Hallways are
streamlined to provide efficient corridors for student movement and
supervision. In addition, CTE programs are centralized in the back of the
building with a separate secure entry as well as classrooms and labs designed
specifically for those specialized programs.
The front of the building
features a new wayfinding trellis and courtyard area with a parent drop-off and
pick-up lane that aligns with Pirate Drive.
In addition, the school has new parking lots as well as a new area for
the bus transportation hub and marching band practice grid.
“The solution creates a
uniform aesthetic for a previously disjointed building,” the article concludes. “The exterior is primarily stone and stays
true to the masonry culture of the community.
New facades and treatments to existing facades modernize the facility
and mimic the style of a collegiate campus.”
The high school project was
previously highlighted in the August 2015 issue of District Administration magazine, which focused on new and improved
school facilities with GHS highlighted on the cover and feature article.
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