Grady Middle School recently presented the final design images of its new 21st century facility, which is highlighted in a new HISD video that explores the planning and design of the campus.
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“When we talk 21st century, we’re incorporating everything together,” said parent Becky Luman. “We’re thinking about ourselves here locally … so our kids can know they are making a difference already.”
Grady received $14.8 million to build an addition to complete their campus, located in the Galleria area. The school’s architect, Natex Corporation Architects, was selected under the district’s 2012 bond program to complete the second phase of the construction project.
“We’re an extremely diverse campus in the middle of the city,” said Grady Middle School Principal Gretchen Hoffman. “How do we connect that learning?”
The building will be constructed to meet standards to receive LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver certification and will feature energy-efficient features in its lighting, heating and cooling systems, along with recycled building materials to reduce energy waste and allow for more natural light into the building.
“When we’re designing the space that’s going to be for fifty-plus years, we really need to design that space to be as flexible as possible so that over the years, it can be manipulated, retrofitted and altered to come along with the increases and advancements in technology,” said architect John Haugen.
The video also highlights parents, students, staff and community members going over updated preliminary designs and concepts for the 54,000-square-foot building.
“When kids take pride and ownership in their school, they react differently when they show up to learn,” said parent Gordon Richardson.