Oak Ridge High School Renovation

Oak Ridge, TNLee J. Brockway Award

High SchoolDLR Group

2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Oak Ridge High School Renovation

Within a community founded on scientific research, Oak Ridge High School is known for its extraordinary academic achievement. But a worn 1950s building negated the standard of excellence demanded by Oak Ridge residents. DLR Group’s deign solution virtually doubled the size of the school to integrate 21st Century technologies and teaching approaches.

Existing 1950s building “DLR Group was able to re-energize the pride our community shares for our educational facilities.”--Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bailey

New Front Entrance

A Performing Arts MasterpieceCommunity Environment: Community connections were a key component of the high school modernization. The Oak Ridge community has depended on the high school for a multitude of performing arts productions, since the only theater in town seats a mere 300 people. Meeting venues are scarce in the community, so the high school cafeteria has served as one of the few options for large events. These spaces needed significant improvements to continue effectively serving the community. In addition to the bond referendum, residents and businesses contributed $8 million to fund specific areas of the school. For example, an orchestra pit was not in the original plans or budget, but was made possible through a private donation.

“Performing arts programs are a vital component of the curriculum at Oak Ridge High School. We now have an auditorium we are proud of, and one that we can share with the larger community.” --Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bailey

Performing Arts Theater

Education for AllCommunity Environment: Just inside the main entrance, guests are attracted to the two-story grand stair leading to the new 185-seat amphitheater. The amphitheater is used as a classroom, as well as for staff meetings and community presentations.

The thriving Oak Ridge community can take advantage of distance learning opportunities, as the amphitheater is equipped with a ceiling mounted projector and screen, a portable podium with controls, and data connections at each station.

Amphitheater

A Community Founded on Scientific ResearchLearning Environment: Oak Ridge students regularly win state and national science competitions. And as home to the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Y-12 Weapons Facility, the curriculum reflects the highest emphasis on science instruction.

The new flexible science instruction areas include modern laboratories and classrooms with 21st Century equipment; review spaces to facilitate project-based group learning; and resource areas to promote student/teacher interaction. Science labs were designed with input from professionals at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Existing Science Classroom

Science Lab

Career Academies Prep StudentsLearning Environment: Oak Ridge students participate in one of five Career Academies that focus on regional job opportunities. Career Academies, such as the Arts & Communications Academy, feature internships during high school and proper training required by area organizations. These Career Academies are now the central organizing structure of the high school. The programs were relocated from separate buildings on the campus into the existing two-story classroom wing, which was renovated and reorganized to better serve the academies. Oak Ridge’s new three-story classroom wing wraps around the academies and is organized around a state-of-the-art media center with a large clerestory.

Existing Art Studio

Art Studio

Oak Ridge High School Academies:Engineering & Manufacturing Academy Health Sciences Academy Early Childhood Education Academy Arts & Communications Academy Business and Information Technology Academy

Energy EfficiencyPhysical Environment - Oak Ridge is a scientific community and is a leader in the research of energy. DLR Group designers responded to the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship by incorporating several sustainable features in the facility.

An innovative lighting design uses classroom occupancy sensors as well as controls that allow selection from three light levels to reduce the lighting load in the school. Nearly two-thirds of all corridor lighting automatically shuts off while classes are in session, and more than 85 percent of core learning areas benefit from natural daylight.

Engineering played a significant role in the energy savings at Oak Ridge High School. A hybrid geothermal mechanical system and water-source heat pump use 34 percent less energy than a comparable conventional chiller and gas-fired boiler system. These systems use the relatively stable earth temperature to heat or cool a building by circulating water through a continuous loop of buried pipes, and are a good choice for a school if the site and sub-soil conditions can accommodate geothermal wells. At Oak Ridge, 200 geothermal wells were installed more than 300 feet below the ground to utilize the earth as a heat sink.

View to Courtyard

A Smaller FootprintPhysical Environment - The district opted to improve the existing 58.5 acre school site instead of developing a greenfield property, however, most high schools of similar size with comparable site facilities can require up to 70 or 80 acres.

To accommodate an addition on the existing site designers created a multi-story building that stacks educational spaces and resources for a smaller building footprint. They also reconfigured existing parking to gain spaces lost due to the building addition.

“Generations of families have passed through the halls of Oak Ridge High School. We considered the history of the school and its meaning to the community when we decided the best option was to renovate versus build a new facility. Plus, renovating the facility is better for the environment.” --Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bailey

New Classroom Wing

Seeing is Believing; The New Main EntrancePlanning Process: In 2003 the district conducted a structural analysis of the existing campus and found while much of the school was structurally sound, two buildings and a portion of a third needed to be replaced. The district hosted a design competition to draw the best design talent from around the country. After winning the competition in August 2004, DLR Group and ACHW conducted three charettes with the Oak Ridge community. These interactive sessions provided opportunities to gather additional design input from administration, school board, teachers, citizens, business communities, and students. The charettes allowed the project team to validate the design concept presented during the competition. For instance, the existing entrance was positioned on the north side, limiting visibility from the highway. Designers seized an opportunity to re-orient the entrance to the south side to face the heavily traveled Oak Ridge Turnpike, enhancing the school’s prominence in Oak Ridge. The community embraced the idea.

“The charettes allowed for committee members to share their vision and allowed for everyone to develop common goals. This process of open communication and the sharing of different ideas during the design gave everyone involved a sense of ownership.”--John Smith, Chairman of the Oak Ridge Schools Board of Education

Main Entrance

Pride in OwnershipPlanning Process: The project steering group (PSG) had the primary role of providing leadership throughout the planning stages, and attending all meetings related to the project. The PSG had representation from the School Board, Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, High School Principal, Assistant Principals, Central Office, Director of Technology, supervisor of Maintenance, Project Manager (Heery International), Architects and Engineers (DLR Group and ACHW). DLR Group formed the Planning and Design Committee (PDC) to define and prioritize project goals and needs, and provide input on the alignment of facilities with educational, operational, and community goals. The PDC was comprised of 42 members, including the PSG, teachers, students, parents, the city engineer, booster clubs, community development director, small business leaders, and major organizations in Oak Ridge.

“It was very important to engage the community, teachers, students, and other stakeholders in the design of the school. It was their efforts that made this project a reality by pledging financial support and passing a referendum. The partnership with these key stakeholders proved to be valuable to the success of this project.” --John Smith, Chairman of the Oak Ridge Schools Board of Education

Grand Stair

A True Community EffortPlanning Process: Designers hosted a series of meetings with key community representatives from the Oak Ridge Music Association, small business, major corporations in the field of science and research, and community leaders, for the expressed purpose of gathering recommendations on science lab design, technology planning, fine arts area/acoustical considerations and food service.

Designers incorporated suggestions by the Oak Ridge Music Association in the 1,500-seat performing arts center. The center includes a new light cove, state-of-the-art sound system, speakers, and stage spotlighting. Two spotlight rooms provide additional production lighting, and a new sound booth features a modern sound system. All finishes provide a modern acoustical environment excellent for performances.

Performing Arts Theater

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Data

Submitting Firm : DLR GroupProject Role Architect of Record, Design, Interior Design, MEP

Engineer & Structural EngineerProject Contact Jim French, REFP, AIATitle Senior PrincipalAddress 7290 W. 133rd St.City, State or Province, Country Overland Park, KS 66213, USPhone 913-897-7811Joint Partner Firm: ACHWProject Role Associate Architect, Civil EngineerProject Contact Lillian RubinTitle Vice PresidentAddress 800 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Ste. A400City, State or Province, Country Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USPhone 865-482-4451

Other Firm: Heery InternationalProject Role Program ManagerProject Contact Greg PeirceTitle Regional ManagerAddress 999 Peachtree St., NECity, State or Province, Country Atlanta, GA 30309, USPhone 404-881-9880

Construction Firm: Messer ConstructionProject Role Construction ManagerProject Contact Mike MeridaTitle Project ManagerAddress 123 Perimeter Park Rd.City, State or Province, Country Knoxville, TN 37922, USPhone 865-769-3944

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Details

Project Name  Oak Ridge High School Renovation

City  Oak Ridge

State  Tennessee

District Name  Oak Ridge Public Schools

Supt/President  Dr. Thomas Bailey

Occupancy Date  August 2008

Grades Housed  9-12

 

Capacity(Students)  1,700; 1,500 current enrollment

Site Size (acres)  58.5 acres

Gross Area (sq. ft.) 346,000 SF (180,000 SF renovation; 166,400 SF new construction)

Per Occupant(pupil)  204 SF/student

gross/net please indicate gross

 

Design and Build?  

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development: $1,618,364

Building Construction:  $50,444,219

Fixed Equipment: $1,300,000

Other:  $7,647,417

 

Total:  $61,000,000

Honoring ChampionsWhen planning the new gymnasium and auditorium improvements, designers were challenged with creating spaces that are easily accessible to the public while maintaining security for students. The spaces function independently and have their own lobbies, but have the ability to connect into one large space for events.

The new athletic lobby is the backdrop for the school’s Hall of Fame and includes memorabilia, sculptures, and a photo mural honoring past champions. For the first time in six decades, Oak Ridge is eligible to host athletic playoff events, as the new 2,200-seat gymnasium meets athletic playoff requirements.

Supporting/Supplemental files/Images Athletic Lobby and Entrance

Inspired DesignTo the right of the main entrance is a multi-level student dining commons that gleams with natural light. The design of the commons roof was inspired by curved wood beams that previously supported the roofs of two sports practice buildings in the existing school.

Supporting/Supplemental files/Images

Existing Commons

Commons