Renovation of Geneva Heights Elementary puts Dallas ISD in prestigious Caudill Class

The Exhibit of School Architecture is honoring Dallas ISD for its renovations of Geneva Heights Elementary School and Career Institute North. 

Dallas ISD was among three school districts chosen to be in the Exhibit of School Architecture competition’s prestigious Caudill Class, named after Texas architect William Wayne Caudill. Recipients of this high honor have completed architectural projects that “exemplify excellence in planning and design of the learning environment,” according to the Exhibit’s website.

A Dallas ISD News Hub article says that both projects came from the 2020 voter-approved bond program.

Geneva Heights Elementary, situated between Greenville Avenue and Skillman Street, was built in 1931 with an art deco façade. Kathy Lee, senior associate and business development leader for BRW Architects’ K12 Education Studio (the firm that designed the renovation) wrote about Geneva Heights’ transformation last year. Here are some excerpts from her story:

Shaped by robust community engagement, much of it conducted virtually during the height of the pandemic, the final design strikes a thoughtful balance between modernization and preservation. Through online forums and remote charrettes, neighbors and parents championed not only state-of-the-art learning environments but also, the protection of the school’s historic character. Dallas ISD and BRW Architects listened and aimed to capture the community’s aspirations and translate them into a design that honors the past while embracing the future.

Today, a new classroom wing supports up to 750 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, offering flexible classrooms designed for collaboration and inquiry-based learning. Specialized spaces for arts, STEM and wellness reflect a commitment to whole-child development. Outside, the central courtyard blooms with gardens and outdoor learning spaces.

Shaped in partnership with the Texas Trees Foundation Cool Schools initiative, 90 new trees and native plantings introduced throughout the campus’s landscape create a biophilic environment that nurtures both mind and body.

With a focus on restoring the original beauty and honoring the cast-in-place concrete entrance as a cultural and social landmark, the design team thoughtfully ensured the new addition would complement the historic art deco zigzag moderne architecture. Through its earth-toned material palette and varied scale, the design seamlessly incorporates a hardened storm shelter, providing a safe space for the entire school during severe weather events.

Site constraints, including limited space, heavy traffic and adjacency to residences, required thoughtful planning. The design team maximized every square inch of the building footprint and prioritized pedestrian safety. Vehicular circulation was also improved through traffic studies, street parking solutions and multiple student drop-off points. The building was strategically oriented east-to-west for optimal solar orientation, providing lots of natural daylight, energy efficiency and minimal impact on neighboring residences.

Read the rest of Lee’s article here.