King/Robinson Magnet School

Narratives

Architect Narrative

Previously located in an unfriendly concrete structure, the K-8, 650-student school now has the space and facilities it long lacked. Situated in a large, park-like setting created through the demolition of the old school, the new building harmonizes with the scale of the surrounding residential neighborhood. The 98,400 square foot school is built into the hillside, decreasing the scale on the side that faces the residential neighborhood. The park and playing fields create the foreground and the neighborhood vistas previously blocked by the old school are restored.

The existing school, at the center of the site, remained operational throughout the construction of the new building, limiting the placement and orientation of the new school. The siting of the new design emphasizes connections with the natural setting of the site and provides a clear orientation of the building elements. An atrium at the core of the school facilitates three-dimensional interaction and provides students with a clear understanding of the school’s layout. Two courtyards function as ‘village squares’, with informal meeting spaces that can easily be monitored. In addition, the use of different colored glazed brick throughout the interior communicates to the students the different uses of the school’s spaces.

The school program includes classrooms; library; media/conference center; art, music and science rooms; special education classrooms; language and computer training facilities; gymnasium; cafeteria and kitchen; stage and orchestra room; and administrative spaces. The building features components that increase the school’s capabilities, such as an outdoor stage, a panelized wall system between the cafeteria and auditorium spaces that can be opened to reconfigure the space into a multi-purpose community auditorium, and a mezzanine stage in the gym further increases performance and meeting capabilities.

The school’s orientation on a north/south axis maximizes exposure to natural light. The use of glass and an emphasis on transparency creates a dynamic play of light and shadow indicating the time of day, allowing the building to act as a sundial. Skylights throughout the gym and auditorium bring in light which reflects off the brick walls, animating the large spaces. Adhering to state energy guidelines, sustainable design features are incorporated, such as perforated metal sunshades; fritted, Low-E glass; and energy efficient roof and wall systems.

Educator Narrative

We are proud to have the school as a part of the New Haven public school system. It stands as a symbol of our commitment to ensuring that all students will learn, succeed, think independently and value all people.

A key element in the development of the design of the new school was the idea of ’school as community center’. It was also important that the community was involved in the design of the new school from its inception. We wanted a school that not only served the student population, but the community at large as well. To assure this, the school district created the School Based Building Advisory Committee (SBBAC) to engage the community, school district and architect in an open dialogue about design goals.

The new school subscribes to design trends quite different from the previous school, which was located in a massive, unfriendly building, composed mostly of concrete with little access to natural light and no sense of connection with the outdoors. We wanted to encourage interaction between students, teachers and school administration. One of the ways this was achieved was by dispersing administrators and guidance counselors on different floors of the school, rather than clustering them in one section. This also allows for closer control of groups of students. It was also important that we emphasize the school’s connection with nature. One of the ways this was achieved was through the use of natural light in an inviting, intimate manner.

Inclusion of the community was integral to the new school. The design team created an environment that accommodated the needs of our community, by incorporating several elements into the design:

• The new school is built into a hillside, which minimized the scale of the school facing the community and also made it possible to develop a park and playing fields shared by students and the community.

• A moveable wall system between the cafeteria and auditorium can be opened to reconfigure the space into a multi-purpose community auditorium. This space is situated close to the school’s entrance to serve the community when school is not operational.

• A mezzanine stage area in the gym increases the school’s performance and meeting capabilities.

• An outdoor stage area adjacent to the gym mezzanine is equipped for speakers and event theatrical lighting, providing additional space for community activities.

This new school is a welcome and important contribution to the area and an integral part of our school system.