P.K. Yonge Middle-High School Construction Complete

SchenkelShultz Architecture announced this week that construction of the Middle-High School at the P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville, Fla., is complete. The public, K–12 school was designed to meet the LEED Gold Certification standard as set by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Affiliated with the University of Florida College of Education, the school is known for its innovative educational curricula and programs that provide each student with an optimized learning experience and environment. The facility was also awarded first place in the Architectural Showcase presented by the Florida Education Facilities Planners’ Association (FEFPA).

P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School

“Our goal was to design a physical environment that was an embodiment of the school’s mission to ‘design, test and disseminate innovations in education,’” said J. David Torbert, partner with SchenkelShultz Architecture. “We collaborated closely with P.K. Yonge’s Leadership Team, educators and students to create a new building that prioritizes active, participatory learning within a safe and secure environment.”

The three-story building was designed to create a student-centered, flexible, and technology-rich learning environment that fosters collaboration. It features amenities like STEM labs, open collaboration areas, distance-learning labs, open collaboration spaces, and break-out spaces for small groups. It was built to replace an existing, 60-year-old facility.

The construction manager for the project was Parrish McCall Constructors.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Little Grand Market

    Designing for Belonging: Why Student Wellness Starts with Space

    From walkable site planning to flexible interiors, intentional design choices play a critical role in how students experience comfort, connection, and community.

  • Ohio State University Opens 26-Story Hospital

    The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center recently opened in Columbus, Ohio, standing 26 stories and covering 1.9 million square feet, according to a university news release. The project marks ten years of effort and is the university’s largest single-facility construction project ever.

  • North Carolina District Completes New Elementary School

    The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) in Holly Springs, N.C., recently announced that construction on a new elementary school has finished, according to a news release. Rex Road Elementary School measures in at 133,000 square feet and is the fifteenth school that general contractor Balfour Beatty has completed for the district.

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.