Education

Making friends and making the grade

Deming Intermediate School

This new state-of-the-art intermediate school is designed to create clusters of educational spaces. Classrooms with ample natural light and views are grouped around flexible multipurpose breakout spaces that open up to the outdoor learning plazas. The two distinct wings of the school are oriented to maximize natural daylighting and energy efficiency and shelter the play areas from prevailing winds.

Core spaces are designed to accommodate enrollment growth, and the classroom wings are designed and sited to accept future additions. The student dining area is designed to maximize utilization and is located to facilitate social learning experiences, sharing and basic manners, and serves as gathering space to view student presentations and performances held at the music room. The music room also opens to the outdoors to provide a seamless indoor to outdoor working experience.

The gymnasium is accessed from a separate lobby to facilitate after hours use of the school, and administrative spaces provide a buffer between this active area and the quiet educational areas. The new school was designed around Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to encourage community participation while providing a safe, comfortable, and healthy environment for students and staff.