Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design, was selected through a competitive process to provide design and engineering services for the new Loudoun County Middle School (MS-14) located within the Dulles North Planning District. The new middle school will house grades six through eight, feature a four-story design, and offer the district an innovative new model for learning while expanding the capacity for students in the area.

The new building will be situated on a beautifully sloped site and incorporate a ‘house’ concept for the school which will accommodate up to 1,445 students. The design features dedicated space for each grade (6-8) on the top three floors for classrooms so each grade has its own space or ‘house’ in the building thoughtfully designed to engage students. Each academic ‘house’ has open meeting spaces and workrooms allowing students more choices in locations for learning and collaboration. Ample windows throughout the building will create a significant amount of natural daylight to flood the school that will give grand picturesque views of the site.

Stepping outside the “house” with shared learning opportunities

An open media center will connect the four-story academic wing to the auditorium, music suite, and administration areas. The roof above the media center can be utilized for an open learning courtyard with direct access from the third-floor science labs. Special education classrooms will be located throughout the building. Career and technical education classrooms and lab spaces will connect to the outdoor areas on the first floor. Other amenities include two gymnasiums and outdoor physical education fields.

Special consideration was given to the vertical circulation of students and keeping the four levels of the school easily connected for students. By using the egress circulation of stairs in the design, three open circulation stairs encourage the comfortable flow of students between levels connecting the media center to the cafeteria, auditorium, and music suite, along with access to the main parent and bus drop off location. The student drop-off sites will be located on two different levels but connected through a double-height lobby designed to feel like one arrival experience for all students.

Decades of partnership

Stantec has performed design work for the Loudoun County Public Schools for more than 25 years. The firm has worked on new and renovation projects for the district’s elementary, middle, and high schools. The scope of work provided includes classrooms, libraries, science labs, sports facilities, and administrative spaces, among others.

Learn more about how Stantec designs for the future generation of learners here.