commentArchitect DLR Group and Turner Construction Co., both of Chicago, recently put the finishing touches on the $124.6-million Metea Valley High School in Aurora, Ill.
Although the 3,000-student school opened last September, the music hallway opened this January, and the auditorium was completed in early February.
The school district wanted a school with the flexibility of a student-controlled environment and an atmosphere that would encourage collaboration among students and faculty.
Designers created a central academic space with an athletic wing to the east and an arts wing to the west. Two enclosed courtyards expose the building’s core to an abundance of natural light, and let students move outdoors during free periods.
Four “think tank” hubs each contain administrative and guidance offices, student resource rooms, conference rooms, and teacher planning centers. Locker bays are grouped in each hub, isolating hallway noise and simplifying monitoring.
The layout lets the 460,000-sq-ft building be organized by grade, department, or small learning communities. Its multiple support spaces promote interaction between students and faculty.
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