PROJECT NARRARTIVE

The goal of The Ursuline School project was to create a new front facing identity that reflected the quality of the school’s educational experience as well as provide a safe gathering space for student arrival and departure. The design solution created active learning spaces and community gathering areas with the addition of a welcome center, a student commons, a STEAM Center, and the development of a courtyard commons.

The lobby addition echoes the architecture of the original buildings and provides a light filled space for informal gathering during the day as well as a space to host events. The site lines from the stepped seating area provide views to the pickup/drop-off area where students can safely wait.

A curved hallway draws visitors into the building and into a hallway that traverses the existing cafeteria and new student commons. The expanded student commons and conference room feature glass window walls that curve around a semi-circular outdoor gathering area called the JB Commons.

The STEAM Center features two spaces – a drop in makers space and a STEAM classroom. The school population passes by this space multiple times a day resulting in “accidental inspiration,” which magnifies the interest in the STEAM curriculum.