District Five of Lexington & Richland Counties

Completion Date

2015

Project Budget

est. $20 million

Quackenbush Architects + Planners designed the new Middle School for Lexington / Richland Five in collaboration with Perkins + Will’s K-12 studio. The 120,000 square foot design will initially serve 800 students in two classroom “houses” organized around a core of flexible collaborative spaces. Tablet computers will be utilized throughout. The plan is organized via a central two-story spine enhanced with natural light from above. Each academic house has access to a secure exterior courtyard that expands the learning environment to the outdoors. The program also includes comprehensive wellness and arts components, state-of-the-art media center, and a full array of specialized science and art classrooms. The design includes provisions for the future addition of a third classroom academy to accommodate a student capacity of 1,200. The new 37,000 square foot wing allows the school to add the third classroom "house" and will bring the building capacity up to 1,200 students. It is currently under construction and is expected to be competed in spring 2018.