Design Process

As our Campus Center is taking shape, we are reminded of the overall process it took to get here. From the initial idea to the design and the construction, this collaborative effort involved all members of the Awty community. 

We spent time touring various campuses and buildings around the country. After interviewing and consulting with various architecture firms, we chose Lake Flato, from San Antonio, who designed the Austin Central Library and several independent schools around the country. We were impressed with their great design, which supports teaching and learning, as well as the sustainability of their constructions, which resonates with Awty's values. 

To make sure we took into consideration perspectives and needs from all constituents of our school, we engaged representatives from the community in the design charrette process. Teachers, staff, trustees, parents, students, and alumni  were all involved and voiced their aspirations for this new building project. 

"The goal was to hear from everybody," said Don Davis, Director of Facilities and Construction. The outcome led to a convergence of essentials: larger classrooms, more gathering spaces, more modern science labs, more green spaces, and more natural lighting in the buildings.

We worked in conjunction with the design team to make sure  the new Campus Center would encompass those main elements, while keeping sustainability at the forefront. The Campus Center aims to be as respectful of the environment as possible, which will be acknowledged and verified through a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainability certification. 

The Campus Center will bring more flexible spaces and collaboration spaces, and allow more innovation in the way we learn. 

"We want to be flexible with our technology so teachers have the flexibility to teach from any space, indoors and outdoors," stated Carolin Escobar, Director of Educational Technology. The goal is to create spaces that will foster creativity, implement design-thinking, and allow students to be more hands-on. 

"Our new facilities will provide the opportunity for students to create, iterate,  fail, and  ultimately, to be better in the end," added Robert Sload, Director of STEAM (sciences, technology, engineering, arts, and math) Program. 

"State-of-the-art science labs will give students the tools and space they need to develop problem-solving skills for the 21st century," said  Kate Adams, Chief Academic Officer.

Undoubtedly, the new facilities are conceived to help our students thrive through their learning experience and prepare them for the constantly evolving global world they will lead.