LEARNING BY DESIGN magazine - Upper Merion Area High School

The new high school is connected to the adjacent to the existing middle school to support shared secondary athletic facilities.
The central Building/Student Commons serves as dining space and support space to the athletic and performing arts facilities.
From the public spaces, the 3-story academic wing is accessed via a bridge over the stream that bi-sects the site.
A core academic wing includes a STEAM-based center, multiple project and team-based spaces, and a three-story learning stair.
The approach to the main entrance, both vehicular and pedestrian, is clearly defined for students and the community.
Sustainable, durable and timeless materials were selected to complement the adjacent middle school.
Natural light and wood laminated beams in the Building/Dining Commons provide a welcoming main entrance to the school.
The two-story commons space is vertically connected with the library commons on the second level offering a variety of spaces for learning, socialization and collaboration.
The Library Commons on the second floor serves as the central research hub for the students.
Small group break out rooms adjacent to the library and bridge to the academic areas provide individual and small group spaces for research and collaboration.
A three-story academic wing supports the core academic programs with a STEAM-based center per floor, multiple project and team-based spaces, and a three-story learning stair.
Visual transparency between the teaming spaces and classrooms further promotes the cross-pollination of learning activities.
Creative spaces outside of the classrooms promotes student engagement with other programs and opportunities.
The main competition gymnasium has three full-sized courts with an upper indoor walking and running track.
Additional pull-out bleacher seating provided on the second floor indoor track for events.
A district-wide competition pool with diving well and bulkhead will be for both school and community use.
SCHRADERGROUP
SCHRADERGROUP
SCHRADERGROUP

PROJECT NARRARTIVE

The Upper Merion Area High School design was designed to provide career and higher education level learning spaces to prepare students for achieving their greatest potential once they graduate. The new 9-12 high school (345,000 SF) will provide enriching opportunities for student acceleration to take advantage of higher-level courses at the secondary level. The organization of the building design allows the flexibility to move away from the traditional content or age configuration to be more centered around student aptitude and career interests.

To promote self-motivated learning, socialization, and collaboration, at the heart of the facility is the student commons which will be used throughout the day for multiple activities. After hours, the commons space will provide pre-and post-activity support for the athletic and performing arts complexes. The performing arts complex provides a complete 650-seat theater with a balcony and all supporting performing arts spaces.

A three-story academic wing supports the core academic programs with a STEAM-based center, multiple project and team-based spaces, and a three-story learning stair. The learning stair connects the academic building vertically and visual transparency between the teaming spaces and classrooms further promotes the cross-pollination of learning activities.

Upper Merion Area High School

Description

Owner
Upper Merion Area School District
King of Prussia, PA

Architecture Firm
SCHRADERGROUP architecture LLC
Philadelphia,Pennsylvania
sgarc.com

Photography By:
SCHRADERGROUP

Upper Merion Area High School

Category

Description