Expansion and Renovation Completed at Byron Nelson HS in North Texas

An expansion and renovation of Byron Nelson High School in Trophy Club, Texas was recently completed. The three-story, 75,000 square-foot expansion and renovation of the campus provides added capacity to a rapidly growing population in the Northwest Independent School District. The project was headed by Perkins & Will.

Byron Nelson High School. Courtesy of Perkins and Will.

The design emphasizes ‘learning on display’ with visibility to programs such as the school’s new Engineering Lab, a combination robotics and shop space; the Architecture Studio, which serves as a model making area; and the Biomedical Science program. The course areas are located near main hallways with glass walls to offer direct views inside so students, parents and visitors can observe classes.

Byron Nelson High School. Courtesy of Perkins and Will.

In addition, the Culinary Arts program was expanded and moved near the school’s bistro, which allows students to receive practicum experience, showcase their skills, and provide a service to students, staff and community.

Byron Nelson High School. Courtesy of Perkins and Will.

The expansion and renovation includes:

  • Collaboration areas to encourage one-on-one and small-group learning sessions.
  • All classrooms and labs have windows for natural light and views.
  • A reconfigured lobby to provide a secure entrance.
  • Renovated orchestra and band halls.
  • Renovated athletic locker and shower facilities.
  • Added athletic support spaces including PE lockers and restrooms, laundry facilities, a conference room, athletic offices.
  • A monumental staircase overlooking an outdoor space.

Hallway messaging and graphics showcase the school’s values, mascot, history, and the story of professional golfer and namesake Byron Nelson.

Perkins and Will took steps to make the project, collaborative, and environmentally friendly, according to a design brief. “Other sustainable steps taken include the school’s flooring, a no-wax solution of Forbo linoleum, which is bio-based and biodegradable, made with renewable and recycled ingredients, has CO2-neutral production, is naturally antimicrobial, and wax-free,” the design brief continues. “Non-VOC paint was also specified, as well as energy-friendly lighting, and high-efficiency HVAC systems were designed for this project.”

About the Author

Yvonne Marquez is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Texas District Breaks Ground on Second High School

    The Waller Independent School District in Waller, Texas, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for what will become its second high school, according to a news release.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • How a Portable Sink Helped an Art Classroom Run More Smoothly

    Classroom design decisions can have outsized effects on instructional time and safety at schools juggling mismatched infrastructure, strict budgets, and crowded schedules — particularly in the arts. Between spilled paint and dirty brushes, art classes run smoother with a sink in the studio. But many schools don’t have a sink in every art classroom.

  • Campus Safety Requires Using Every Resource Available

    Across the U.S., school and campus leaders are facing a security landscape that has changed dramatically over the past decade. Incidents on school property have increased in recent years, with several consecutive years setting record totals. According to analysis of data by CNN, dozens of shootings now occur on school grounds annually across K-12 and higher education environments.