Pine Island Schools

At Pine Island Schools, Wendel worked with the district and construction manager to prepare facility options that resulted in a referendum to construct a new Elementary School and additions and remodeling of the existing PK-12 School into a state-of-the-art Middle School/High School facility.  Work at the Middle School/High School included a new secure entry adjacent to the relocated school office for improved supervision.

One of the main challenges of the Middle School/High School project was to determine where to locate a new Auditorium. Previous studies had explored the front and back sides of the building, but each had disadvantages. Wendel developed a design that infills an unused court with the Auditorium and opens up the adjacent lunchroom to create a Dining Commons that serves as a lobby space for the Auditorium and Gym.

Additional work includes new STEM labs and conversion of the former Elementary media center into a fitness room, as well as ventilation upgrades and a new fire sprinkler system throughout. Site work included a new parking lot and separated bus drop-off for better safety and traffic flow.

The new Elementary School building includes classrooms, offices, a multi-purpose room (tornado shelter rated) and an indoor playground. Several building elements were ‘rescaled’ for younger students, such as railing, window sill and countertop heights. Colors were chosen to be bold and playful, as well as to coordinate with colors at the existing Elementary School to make students’ transition to a new building at kindergarten easier.

The design uses materials and orientation to maximize daylighting while minimizing glare.  Vertical ‘fins’ on the east and west facades and horizontal shades on the south  block  glare during the school day.  Translucent skylights provides diffused daylight to interior spaces.