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Architects show enlarged courtyards, enclosed special-education yards and material choices for LD Bell and Trinity campuses
Summary
Design team presented larger courtyard plans for LD Bell and Trinity High School, including artificial turf, paver circulation, repurposed LD Bell bell, enclosed SPED courtyards, and design choices for auditorium airflow and materials.
Architects and district staff presented updated courtyard and site designs for LD Bell and Trinity High Schools during the HEB ISD board meeting on Jan. 13, showing enlarged outdoor learning spaces, secure courtyards for special education classrooms, and material selections.
Key design elements - LD Bell courtyard: The architects presented a comparative layout showing the existing courtyard roughly 130 by 92 feet and a proposed courtyard about 260 by 150 feet. The new design includes artificial turf areas, pavers, tree plantings and built-up turf seating, and a covered shaded outdoor learning area. The district's historic LD Bell tower bell will be repurposed and relocated to the new courtyard on a new stand. - Trinity courtyard: The Trinity project shows a similarly sized courtyard (about 275 feet long) that preserves existing trees and repurposes large rocks for seating. One courtyard adjacent to special education classrooms will be completely enclosed and secured for that population and will serve as a controlled breakout and recreation area. - Site work and utilities: The design includes added concrete, sidewalks, retaining walls and a fire-lane roadway adjacent to Midway Park to support access and maintenance. Architects noted some utility relocations (including power lines) will be required and that Atmos Energy work reduced a previously estimated gas-line contingency. - Auditorium/airflow and finishes: For gymnasiums and auditoria that connect to performance or concessions areas, the design team said roof-mounted exhaust fans and mechanical system provisions are included as contingency where large roll-up doors will be closed. Materials recommended for auditoria included terrazzo for floor finish.
Board questions and staff responses Board members raised circulation concerns (whether planted strips might be trampled) and asked about secure fencing and whether students could leave campus from SPED courtyards. Architects and district staff said courtyards were designed with perimeter paths and that the SPED courtyards are enclosed to prevent egress; staff said they could refine landscape paths to discourage trampling. Architects said detailed final layouts and permit reviews remain in process.
Ending Designs are in bid or permitting stages and will be refined as permitting and contractor input proceed; the board asked staff to continue coordinating site access, security and material choices ahead of permit approvals.
