University of Idaho students propose entry, lunch‑area and accessibility upgrades for Moscow Middle School; architects present three options for Russell site

A team of University of Idaho design‑build students presented preliminary concepts Feb. 26 to the Moscow School District Board of Trustees for work at Moscow Middle School and for a pre‑design study of Russell Elementary.

Scott Lawrence, who leads the outreach studio in the University of Idaho architecture program, described on‑site fieldwork his students performed at the middle school, including surveys, measuring, bus‑transfer observations and student questionnaires. The students’ concepts aim to increase the school’s public presence at the primary entry, create covered and accessible drop‑off areas, improve outdoor lunch seating and supervision, and provide sheltered outdoor classrooms for flexible instruction. Renderings shown at the meeting included a strengthened covered entry with signage, covered queuing for visitors to wait out weather while being buzzed in, and a reworked lunch plaza with distinct seating arrangements and sheltered play or learning areas.

Lawrence said the studio builds and implements projects where possible; he described past work such as an…