O'Connell Robertson Earns CEFPI Architecture Merit Award

Austin, Texas — O’Connell Robertson’s design of the new Success High School in Round Rock ISD earned one of two 2015 Architecture Merit Awards presented by the Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) Southern Region Chapter during the group’s annual conference in San Antonio on Saturday (April 11).

Award entries were evaluated according to criteria in each of the following categories: community environment, learning environment, physical environment, and planning process.

The 68,000 SF campus (located at 500 Gattis School Road in Round Rock) serves high school students who desire acceleration, need evening classes to better fit their personal schedules, or are in at-risk situations. The school was designed to provide maximum flexibility to support varying curriculum and class sizes with flexible and innovative learning spaces, integrated labs, design studios, small group rooms, and a discovery center that replaces the traditional library. A child care center for student parents also doubles as a teaching space for the Early Childhood Education curriculum. The campus features numerous sustainability strategies designed to achieve a LEED Silver rating.

“We are proud of this award that recognizes our partnership with RRISD in designing a progressive and unique educational environment that helps prepare all students for success after high school,” said Amy Jones, principal-in-charge of the Success High School project.

Featured

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.

  • Countway Library at Harvard Medical School

    From Shadows to Sanctuary: The Transformation of Light at Countway Library

    The renovation of Countway Library at Harvard Medical School demonstrates how biophilic design and advanced lighting strategies transformed a formerly dark, insular space into a vibrant, welcoming hub that supports wellness, learning, and community engagement.

  • NWEA Report Recommends K–12 Natural Disaster Recovery Strategies

    The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), a K–12 assessment and research organization, recently announced the release of a new playbook for schools and communities recovering from extreme weather events, according to a news release.

  • University of Rhode Island, Gilbane Partner for Three New Residence Halls

    The University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R.I., recently announced a public-private partnership with construction development firm Gilbane, according to a news release. Gilbane will soon start construction on three new residence halls with a total of 1,100 beds: two with apartment-style suites in northwest campus, and a reconstruction of the Graduate Village Apartments for graduate students.