After recognizing the need for substantial health and life safety improvements district-wide, Paxton-Buckley-Loda officials and our team engaged the community to determine the best path forward. Their preferred solution includes the demolition of an existing intermediate school and facility upgrades at Clara Peterson Elementary School. Our design consists of a 65,000 SF, two-story addition to house grades 2-5, and renovation of the existing campus. The newly combined preK-5 facility maximizes the community’s investment in its schools by reducing the overall footprint and maintenance costs. It also meets the district’s vision for collaborative teaching and learning with highly flexible and adaptable spaces that feature a variety of furniture options that can be modified to support learning in the moment.

The new addition realigns the main entrance with the heart of the school, securing access through an entry vestibule in the administration suite. Our design includes instructional support areas and arranges classrooms with direct accessibility to shared project spaces. Operable partitions allow for the necessary connectivity between main learning zones and adjacent breakout areas to support multiple learning activities. The former gymnasium and locker rooms are redesigned to serve as the school’s new library and media center with an adjacent maker space to encourage hands-on learning. A full-size gymnasium also functions as a storm shelter for the entire building. DLR Group provided architecture, interior design, FF&E selection and procurement services in partnership with Reifsteck Reid.