French Associates collaborated with WBSD to combine two schools creating West Bloomfield Middle School. Conceptual design engaged stakeholders including students, staff, parents and community which met multiple times to vision the outcome for the footprint, emotional/social health of students and safety for students, staff and visitors.
The building is organized around a North/South corridor and an East/West Media Center. The Media Center is both focal point and hub, providing visual and physical connections both interior and exterior, connecting the main entrance to academic functions. This two story space with balcony and Learning Stair provides an informal passageway, encouraging students to use the Media Center as circulation, learning, collaboration and reflection spaces. The Media Center provides visual and physical access to flanking courtyards, allowing safe and seasonal outdoor learning.
The design supports a curriculum shift to Learning Communities; multi-grade level cohorts each occupying a wing. Each Community has classrooms surrounding a commons visually connecting classrooms by overhead doors opening to the "family room." The "family room" in turn fronts the main corridor creating a "front door". This arrangement brings natural light deep into the building. The wings are similar but unique through color to help students navigate building.