PECOS, Texas—Designer VLK Architects and general contractor BTC have delivered the new 87,000-square-foot Austin Elementary School for the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District (PBTISD), located in West Texas.

VLK’s design for the elementary school offers modern music and art rooms, learning nooks, as well as an efficient student drop-off area. The design also incorporates the archway from the old Pecos Elementary campus as a way to bridge the generations who have been educated here.

The previous elementary school, which trained students through third grade for 70 years, will hereafter become known as the Staff Professional Development & Parent Support Center.

“The grand opening of the new Austin Elementary is a celebration of our community’s resilience and determination,” Brent Jaco, Superintendent of Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD, said at the opening ceremonies. “It reminds us that we can all unite to ensure our children have the resources they need to thrive.

“We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and today we are building a brighter future for generations to come.”

“VLK is grateful for the partnership we have established with both Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD and its community,” added Monika Castillo, Principal at VLK Architects. “It is very rewarding to see the impact that this new facility is bringing to the students and staff of the district and the opportunities that will be provided to the education being delivered to PBTISD.”

PBTISD educates over 2,600 students at five campuses throughout West Texas.

VLK has offices throughout the Lone Star State. The firm operates from locations in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Fort Worth.

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PECOS, Tex.—VLK Architects, which operates out of several offices in the Lone Star State, recently was on hand for a ceremonial groundbreaking at what will be a new elementary school for the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District.  Personnel from VLK were joined at the site by members of the Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD as well as workers from the general contractor BTC, known for its work on Texas school projects.

In its design, the architecture firm applied its patented VLK | LAUNCH process to streamline the project.  When completed, the 133,038-square-foot educational building will feature a two-story library as its centerpiece, offering learning areas and reading nooks on both levels.  The new elementary school will also boast a music room and adjoining performance space, science laboratories that connect to outdoor areas, and an art room that features a working kiln.  The building will focus on what is known as STREAM education, which stands for science, technology, reading, English, arts and math.

“VLK feels very fortunate for the partnership that we have established with Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD and their community as they break ground on their second elementary school,” Monika Castillo, principal of VLK Architects, said in a recent release from the architecture firm.  “We understand the legacy these projects will bring to the students and staff and are excited to be a part of it.”

Also speaking at the ceremony, PBTISD Superintendent Brent Jaco discussed the collaboration with VLK and BTC—as well as ensuring that the new school will be a benefit to not just the district but also the community at large.

“We have worked to ensure district stakeholders had a voice in the design of the new schools and facilities,” Jaco said.  “Community members, parents, teachers, campus administrators, and even students have been involved beginning almost a year ago.”

The school, projected to be ready to welcome students come the fall of 2023, is the second elementary facility that VLK designed for the district as a part of a funding package that was approved by voters in May 2021.

General contractor BTC is returning to working at PBTISD, where the company earlier collaborated with VLK on the Maintenance | Child Nutrition | Technology | DAEP Campus Facility, which was also paid four thanks to the district’s $178.6-million bond passed in 2021.  BTC’s other work at PBTISD has entailed Pecos High School Phase 1, consisting of the CTE and Science Wing, as well as transforming Austin Elementary into an adult learning center.

VLK Architects has several offices throughout Texas, including in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and Fort Worth.  Their previous educational work in the state entails projects for the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, expanding the Gerald D. Young Agricultural Sciences Center, as well as buildout of Crowley ISD’s Career Technology Education Center and Crowley Collegiate Academy.

Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD has been in existence since 1883.  The West Texas district now entails nearly 3,000 students across its five campuses.

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