Energy Institute HS receives architectural award, magazine cover feature

The new Energy Institute High School has been awarded the Citation of Excellence Award by Learning by Design, a magazine that recognizes the nation’s best new education school design and construction.

Energy Institute earned its award with innovative learning spaces designed to encourage project-based collaboration and communication and showcase students’ high-tech projects and presentations.

Designed by VLK Architects, the 114,000-square-foot facility is comprised of three separate buildings with a central courtyard connecting the buildings and features a large covered learning staircase as its centerpiece.  Glass garage-style doors installed in most classrooms provide transparency, allowing students and staff to view work and projects going on throughout the building.

The Spring 2019 edition of the magazine features Energy Institute on its cover and announces the school as one of its distinguished award-winning projects.

“Energy Institute High School features a design that will allow students to learn in modern spaces that are conducive to the school’s project-based learning model,” General Manager of Facilities Design Dan Bankhead said. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized for the work that went into this project.”

The magazine assembled a panel of five architects and education administrators to review projects from across the nation. The projects that earned top awards featured design elements, including sustainability, transparency, and impressive interiors.

Energy Institute opened the doors to its new building at the start of the 2018-2019 school year.  

Follow @Build_HISD on Twitter for the latest updates on the 2012 Bond Program and school construction across the district.