Rogers High School

Narratives

Architect Narrative

What exemplary ideas do the designs contain that enhance learning?
The team’s goal was to design the best possible learning environment for students, teachers and staff. Studies have shown that natural lighting has a positive effect on student attitudes and performance: students tend to be more attentive and display lower levels of hyperactivity in day-lit classrooms. Bringing natural lighting as far into the building’s core as possible was a principal priority.

Student and staff security influenced the design. The school incorporates long site lines and virtually no hiding places; designed force perspectives result in corridors that do not feel long or unfriendly. Strategically placed two-story openings at staircases and other areas provide visibility between floors. Circulation paths are easy to navigate and well-lit, incorporating natural wayfinding through use of color and materials. The commons/cafeteria is designed as major gathering place with emphasis on visibility and school/community spirit. Exterior parking and athletic fields are well lit and organized to avoid congestion.

The high school is broken down into smaller learning areas, or “Houses”. Organized both programmatically and physically, houses provide personal and effective learning environments. To accommodate the fast growing community, core facilities (mechanical, plumbing, electrical) are grouped together to allow for flexible layouts integrating any future additions or modifications.

State of the art technology supports learning programs: networked systems throughout the facility connect computer and science labs, classrooms, media center, administration and the global community.

The facility was designed to provide a healthy environment; indoor air quality far exceeds minimum standards. The school district desired to greatly reduce their operating energy costs. This overriding goal influenced the selection of building systems and materials and the use of automated system controls. Sustainable products and manufacturers were selected to extend life cycles.

What innovations in planning, programming and design process supported the realization of those exemplary ideas?
The school’s design was a collaborative effort between the school district, the community and the design team. Community functions, programs and business uses bring many residents into the facility after-hours. Zoned security allows public access to specific community areas.

The orientation of the school facilitates 100% daylighting and creates more efficient mechanical zones. Vertically oriented operable windows promote natural ventilation. Low flow displacement ventilation system supplies clean air low and returns air high to reduce the spread of germs. Low VOC finishes and minimal use of carpet support this healthy environment.

Sustainable design strategies, optimal building orientation and 100% daylighting to occupied spaces, allow the ventilation and lighting systems to operate at highly efficient levels while creating a positive and inviting learning environment. Exterior sunscreens and low E glazing minimize heat gain; interior light shelves and sloped ceilings throw natural daylight from large tall windows deep into spaces. Occupancy and photo sensors significantly reduce the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours. Other sustainable features include infrared controls on all toilet room plumbing fixtures, highly insulated envelope, and highly efficient displacement ventilation system. As a result, energy consumption is half that of similarly sized schools.

Educator Narrative

May 2004

To Whom It May Concern:

I am proud to write on behalf of our newly built high school. We have just completed our first year of existence, and what a year it has been! Our new building has surpassed our expectations.

The community has wanted their own high school for over ten years. Three years ago voters approved a bond and our community now has its very own high school. The community, parents and students have wrapped their arms around this building; it has given us an identity in which we are all proud of.

To get this building built was an incredible cooperative effort between the architects, builders and the school district. Our city council is another very important partner, stepping forward and partnering with us in ways that have left me in awe. They contributed through the design phase and told us that, if we plan carefully and wisely, they could help enhance this facility. In the end, the city council financed over $2.1 million, allowing us to build a state of the art field house and develop our outdoor athletic fields. In addition to the city’s efforts, many community members, parents, teachers and students spent countless hours helping us open our doors. Volunteer hours were spent inventorying new supplies, getting the supplies to the proper areas of the building, preparing the fields and final cleaning to make it student ready.

We threw open our doors on September 2, 2003 and it has been magical ever since. Our building is beautiful in every facet. It was designed with sustainable features such as large windows and loads of them, life-lasting materials like terrazzo flooring, and a heating/cooling system that allows for maximum fresh air filtered through every part of the school. When one walks into our building it is always met with “oohs and ahhhs.” The natural day lighting in the building is very impressive. It gives everyone the sense that the outdoors are brought into the building. While this year is a base line year, we hope to see increased teacher and student attendance, decreased student discipline and higher test scores due to our beautiful new learning environment.

Our new building is so much more than just a high school; it is a community building. We have held a concert (Ricky Skaggs) in our field house and hope to hold many more events in the years to come. We have also accommodated community meetings like Women of Today, 12 Step program and a variety businesses have used our community room for annual meetings and recognition events.

Our new high school has given our community visibility. More importantly, our new state of the art facility has given us pride in our students and the opportunity to be true partners with all who live and work here.

Jana Hennen-Burr, Principal