Sue McMichael McGown Elementary School Cypress-Fairbanks ISD | Cypress, TX

Sue McMichael McGown Elementary School is located within the Parkland Village Section of the Bridgeland Master Planned Community.  The new facility is a two-story building totaling approximately 127,390 square feet with the included Pre-Kindergarten addition. The site includes parking for staff and visitors with 138 spaces, a 1/8 mile walking path, several play areas, an outdoor instructional area with sundial, and an outdoor learning courtyard.

The plan is organized around 6 distinct wings or academic pods, 3 on the first floor and 3 on the second floor with science located centrally on both floors.  The 5th grade wing is located above the larger Kindergarten and Pre-K classrooms which generates appropriately sized classrooms on the second floor for this age group.  Active areas such as the cafeteria, gym, music, and art are all located together below the academic wings to provide noise separation.  Administration areas and the library are located at the front of the facility and become the main entry for visitors and parent drop-off.

The architectural design follows an architectural vocabulary established for the Parkland Village section of the Bridgeland Development for all the community infrastructure and amenities. This style of architecture would be classified as a contemporary interpretation of the Prairie Style which was made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright in the 20th century. This architectural style invokes the use of natural materials and provides extended horizontal overhangs that rise organically from the plains.

Flexibility for instructional delivery, natural daylight in classrooms and reducing energy consumption are all incorporated into the design of the new elementary school, which is designed in compliance with TX-CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools).  Major elements incorporated into the design include reduction of potable water usage, conservation of energy, limiting storm water runoff, and the use of low-emitting rapidly renewable materials.

“Flexibility for instructional delivery, natural daylight in classrooms and reducing energy consumption are all incorporated into the design of the new elementary school which is designed in compliance with TX-CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools). Major elements incorporated into the design include educational displays and demonstration areas, limiting storm water runoff, reduction of potable water usage, conservation of energy and the use of using low-emitting, rapidly renewable materials.”

—Derek Bankston, Project Manager
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