FORT WORTH, Tex.—Personnel from VLK Architects, Core Construction and the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD popped some metaphorical—and perhaps literal—champagne in early May to celebrate the topping out of the new Eagle Mountain High School. A cheer went up as the final structural beam was lifted into place for what will soon be the fourth high school in the district.

VLK’s design will allow for abundant natural light at the new school, with extra-large windows providing views of the surrounding Lone Star State geography. Meanwhile, the design incorporates a sky bridge linking academic areas with dining spaces, athletic areas as well as fine arts classrooms. The school will also feature a double-volume library as well as art classrooms housed under a covered outdoor patio that can be utilized in all seasons. The campus grounds will also be home to a pond that will be useful for science classes as well as provide natural irrigation throughout the grounds.

VLK and Core collaborated with the district on crafting a new school that would meet the current and future educational needs of the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD district. Under the current construction timeline, the new high school is slated to open for the fall of 2024.

“Creating an environment in which young learners thrive in alignment with EMS ISD’s mission is one of the goals of Eagle Mountain High School’s design,” Lauren Brown, VLK principal, said during the ceremony.

Added EMS ISD Superintendent Dr. Jim Chadwell: “The walls and halls are just a backdrop to the teaching and learning taking place; the design should not hinder but bolster the robust curriculum provided by EMS ISD. It is an honor to be a part of the team that transformed a site with over 630,000 square feet of building area into a new learning environment that will be here for decades.”

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SARASOTA, Fla.—Booker High School’s Visual Performing Arts (VPA) Center is being expanded by SchenkelShultz Architecture to give the venue a whole new look.

SchenkelShultz’s plans entail expanding the lobby so that it can function as its own event and exhibition space. The firm will also be completely redesigning the theater to add a tiered orchestra level as well as a new balcony. A new black box theater will be added, as will a green room, classrooms and a costume shop. Sightlines within the theater will be improved and enhancements made to the space’s acoustics as well.

The firm took the idea of a gemstone and translated it to the redesign. Accordingly, the lobby will now feature a transparent curtain wall, and the theater space itself will include digital projections that can be changed by the programmers as needed.

Ken Dean, partner and lead of SchenkelShultz’s Sarasota office, said in a recent statement that Booker High School’s theater represents a rich local history in the arts, and one his firm was anxious to expand.

Dean’s SchenkelShultz colleague, Ekta Desai, said that their work will make the historic theater able to meet modern challenges of performance and education.

“Simultaneously, we have elevated the space’s production, technology, acoustics, and function, creating an environment that reflects the school’s longstanding reputation for excellence,” said Desai.

Construction is now underway by general contractor Core Construction, with completion aimed for later this year.

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