'21 AIA NoAL Honor Award + People's Choice Award Winner

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["strong"]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Short Description:"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The project is a 900-student\nelementary school located in Madison, Alabama."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[0],1,"Architect\u0027s Statement:"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Midtown Elementary School, as the\nname implies, occupies a site in the commercial center of the city of Madison,\nAlabama. The 16-acre site, bordered by single family homes to the north, and a\nlarge retail development to the south, demanded a design solution tailored to\nits unique circumstances. The Cafeteria, Gymnasium and Media Center are\narranged in a cluster of architectural shapes fronting the main highway. The\nlocation of these spaces, forward of the classroom spaces, reinforces the\nschool\u2019s role as a community center. Three 2-story bar buildings contain\nclassrooms that are organized in six independent pods for grades K-5. The\nclassroom pods are connected by a \u201cmain street\u201d that serves as the central\ncirculation spine of the school. Laboratory spaces for art, music, science,\nforeign language and other special programs are located along main street. The\nspacious interior, with brightly colored finishes, vaulted ceilings and\nwhimsical curved lights and soffits reflects the playfulness of the building\u2019s\nyoung occupants. The classroom wings are positioned to buffer the adjacent\ncommercial development, with outdoor play spaces located adjacent to the\nsingle-family residences. Two smaller enclosed courtyards, located between the\nclassroom wings, will contain fully enclosed outdoor instruction spaces. A\nsuspended canopy provides a welcoming monumental portico for all students,\nwhether they are arriving by bus, car, bike or on foot. The design responds to\nMadison\u2019s prevailing taste for traditional architecture, but with modern\nelements to express the community\u2019s forward-thinking values."]]]]}