West Tennessee School for the Deaf

  • Architecture
    Interior Design
    Programming
    Signage Design
    Site Evaluation/Selection
    Site Planning
    Wayfinding/Signage

  • Low Maintenance Materials

  • Completed June 2007

  • Jackson, Tennessee

Designing an engaging new facility on an existing campus that accommodates recreation, physical therapy, a library and classrooms while complimenting the existing campus buildings.

In addition to the new facility, the client desired a design that would create an efficient path from the existing school to the new addition, covered shelter and enhanced site accessibility for students in preschool through 6th grade.

  • In addition to the new facility, the client desired a design that would create an efficient path from the existing school to the new addition, providing for safe and easy access to and from each building. Because the existing facilities lacked adequate outdoor shelter, the access path also needed to be covered to shelter students and faculty during bus drop-off and pick-up times. The long block wall that organizes the addition’s plan provides entry signage for the school, performs as the bus shelter, and works with the existing buildings to frame the school’s parking lot. Because of budget constraints, a prefabricated metal building system creates the volume containing the gym and therapy rooms. This volume is defined by a sculptural roof canopy that floats above a smaller scale structure housing classrooms, a library, and services. The smaller stick-framed structure extends beyond the shelter of the canopy, creating an intimate courtyard with a long wall and linking the addition back to the existing school buildings. Materials for each structure were chosen to complement existing campus buildings and to integrate easily into the prefabricated metal building system. Because the gymnasium is considered a therapy space, the client desired an open design to allow for plenty of daylight. The facility accommodates a multitude of school functions, including plays, meetings, and half-court basketball games.

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Tech 901

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NAVFAC BUPERS Child Development Center