Architect previews designs for Shawnee Heights middle-school addition and gym

An architecture team presented concept renderings for a proposed middle-school addition and gym at the Shawnee Heights Unified School District, showing how the new work could be blended with the existing building through consistent window styles, accent metal panels and a red bracket at the main entry.

Maria from HDK walked trustees through multiple iterations of the design and explained how an L-shaped bracket and metal accent strips would help transition the lower existing roofline to the new addition and visually integrate a gym addition on the building's right side. She said rooftop mechanical units are dated and either will be replaced, painted or screened as alternates, and that the design team studied several façade textures and color iterations to match existing brick and materials.

Board members and the facilities committee had previously reviewed the designs; trustees complimented the visual approach, with one board member saying, "I like the red angles on there." The presentation closed with staff noting further review and the intent to carry the design forward in bond-package procurement steps.

What was new: The renderings prioritize visual continuity between older and newer building sections and identify options for mechanical screening and façade articulation to reduce visual bulk. Staff said the gym and entry work tie into bond project scheduling and that purchasing lead-time items (such as pre-engineered metal structures) will help ensure the district can install them when construction reaches that phase.

Next steps: The board will consider full gym-package approvals in a subsequent meeting and will include the approved design elements in procurement documents for the bond project.