The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee for Architectural Excellence (CAE) has honored the Marysville Getchell High School Campus in Marysville, Wash., for outstanding educational space design. The AIA CAE Design Awards honor projects and ideas that exhibit innovation and excellence. Judges review the planning and design process; the integration of function and aesthetics; and the unique learning environment.
The jury was impressed with "the alternative educational program that divided the campus into four separate small learning community buildings for creating opportunities for more ‘personalized learning experiences,' and encouraging opportunities for a learner-centered environment. This project exemplifies how this design firm is extending our notions about programming and planning schools to support how learners master skills."
Marysville Getchell earned an Award of Merit, an honor reserved for superior quality projects. The AIA CAE design awards were displayed at the April School Building Expo in Chicago, and showcased at the may 2011 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in New Orleans.
In April 2011, Marysville Getchall was honored at the National School Boards Association (NSBA) annual meeting in San Francisco. The Exhibit of School Architecture, sponsored by the NSBA and the AIA, is a juried exhibit that recognizes the newest ideas in school design and construction. By a unanimous decision, the Marysville Getchell High School Campus received the 2011 Grand Prize award at the annual conference in San Francisco in April.
DLR Group's design was recognized for incorporating many of the best practices in educational design: transparency, small learning communities (SLC), flexibility within the learning environment, day lighting, energy efficiency, and learning environments to accommodate individual learning styles.
Jury members commented, "The well balanced building massing and wonderful spatial experience provided by the juxtaposition of the built and natural environment truly made this project stand above the rest. This is a campus where students can maintain a sense of belonging while still being true to themselves."
"DLR Group's design of the Marysville Getchell High School Campus is unequivocally student-driven. Every space is a learning space," said DLR Group Principal Craig Mason, AIA, LEED AP. "To take advantage of the natural landscape and extraordinary views, we incorporated an outdoor amphitheater, decks, and viewing platforms that provide endless learning opportunities where students, staff, and visitors engage in social, professional, and educational interactions."
Marysville Getchell also is part of the upcoming Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International Conference, September 16-19 in Seattle, Wash. ASBO conference attendees can tour the facility from 8 a.m. to noon, Friday, September 16. For more information on the conference visit www.asbointl.org.
In addition to DLR Group, the planning team for the Marysville Getchell High School Campus included educational consultant Architects of Achievement and educational planner BrainSpaces.