Location: New Kent County, VA
The design for New Kent High was the result of a participatory planning process that included many members of the community. The school is organized around the concept of a school within a school and is broken down into four smaller houses on two floors. Each house holds 350 students within the larger 1,400 student facility. The design is flexible and can operate under a grade house philosophy or as a traditional high school.
The main corridor is a wide, linear space connecting the central administration, gymnasium, cafeteria, auditorium, media center and academic wing. The cafeteria space includes a light monitor to introduce natural light into the space, reducing the linear feel. Sustainable design features include daylighting, an energy efficient geothermal HVAC system, light-colored roofing materials to reflect heat and occupancy sensors that eliminate artificial light usage in unoccupied rooms.
