Ginsburg Comprehensive School

Narratives

Architect Narrative

Campus for two high schools

The existing campus housed two junior high schools and one high school which combined their population. The campus contained over 80 classrooms serving over 3200 students in poor physical conditions. Some of the buildings were over 20 years old, and others over 40 years old. Given the high incidence of violence on the campus and the low opinion of one of the junior high school’s academic level, the decision was made to create two six-year schools with a common resource center in the campus. The resource center utilized existing buildings, converted to serve as a central library, which serves the community as well as the schools, art workshops, computer and technology labs and science labs. New construction was necessary in order to service the altered needs of the new schools, especially school A. The rest of the existing buildings were renovated and adapted to modern learning methods, including communications infrastructure, finishing materials and climatically comfortable learning environments.

The underlying concepts of this solution were:

- Creating two smaller schools in order to foster better student/teacher relations
- Centralizing resources such as libraries, technology, computers and labs
- Creating a warm and intimate learning environment
- An emphasis was placed on smaller classes, working in small groups, and allowing open activity spaces between classrooms in order to allow for a variety of academic activities
- Each school has its own independent administration, with the resource center also independently administrated
- The resource center serves the surrounding community as well the student body and is near to an existing community structure on campus
- The sports center is shared by both schools and also serves the community
- School A was expanded to include an entrance hall and a teachers lounge, joining together two preexisting buildings into one unrecognizable structure. The school’s former entrance was diverted into the courtyard between the two existing blocks.
- In the second phase, another wing of classrooms was constructed, including smaller rooms for private study.
- The entrance hall sits half a floor above the original entrance, creating a nice spacial connection to an existing area of the building. Together they create an activity center housing exhibits and school event.
- Each school retained several science rooms and workshops for special projects.
- The school was built while incorporating large courtyards between new and existing classroom wings. These courtyards are used as an entrance, a gathering area, and areas for free activity.
- In school B, the original structures were renovated. Open areas were closed off in order to protect from winter rain and wind. The learning spaces were upgraded, both from a telecommunications standpoint and from a visual standpoint, emphasizing environmental comfort. The courtyards between the buildings were landscaped, in several areas allowing for outside seating.
- “The Main Street” - a roofed passageway connecting all learning wings - was redesigned with new paving and roofing, while being adapted for accessibility to handicapped persons and maintaining a connection with the surrounding courtyard and existing tall trees.

The process of dividing and adapting the two schools took three years, with the bulk of the work taking place in the summers, over the holidays.
The total area that was renovated in the campus is about 162000sq ft with cost of 2800000$. The new constructions are about 12000 sq ft with the cost of 700000$.

Upon returning to school in the fall, the students could barely recognize their campus. They were overjoyed at their

Educator Narrative

Campus for two high schools

The two high schools underwent a structural transformation from two junior high schools and one high school to a couple of six-year High schools.

Among the changes made to the structures, were the addition of several wings, some public and others academic. The entrance area of school A was moved to the new wing, uniting the existing buildings into one complex, leaving large, comfortable courtyards between the wings. These changes give a new meaning to the connection between inner spaces and outer spaces, allowing for social activities and student and community gatherings.

The hallways have been widened into well-lighted spaces, and the finishing materials, the colors of the walls, doors and lintels are soothing, improving the complex’s general atmosphere.

A large resource center for both schools was established, including a well-stocked library, art workshops, computer centers and advanced technology workshops which are well-endowed and comfortable.

The structural changes serve the school’s pedagogical approach - a cultural and educational haven for all who enter, treating each student personally.

The school embodies the axiom that the learning environment has a profound effect on both the school’s atmosphere and the individual achievements of each student.

We are grateful for the work and deeply enjoy the results.

Respectfully,
The principal
School A