Architects:modus studio

Area:26810ft²

Year:2020

Photographs:Timothy Hursley

Manufacturers:Sherwin-Williams,Archatrak,Armstrong Industries,Durcon,Eagle Grip Coating Systems,Emser Tile,Mohawk Flooring,Nevamar,Pac-Clad,Uniquad

Lead Architect:Chris Baribeau

Civil Engineering:Bates + Associates

Structural Engineering:Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers

MEP Engineering:Core States Group

Principal Designer:Josh Siebert

Project Manager:Matt Poe

Designer:Laura Ramirez

City:Valley Springs

Country:United States

Text description provided by the architects. Valley Springs High School is a beacon, sitting proudly on a prominent corner of campus, representing the community's historic commitment to education. The translucent glow on the exterior of the library is stationed by the contrasting computer lap mass above and these two volumes craft a new identity for the district as the mass volume of highway traffic now has a scholastic landmark. The glowing library serves as a reminder of the former greenhouse that was once a visual marker on this site for thousands of sunsets.

The grand entry pays homage to the historic stone architecture on campus as students flow into the building between the light polycarbonate panels and massive gabion walls as a spring would a valley. The gabion baskets contain hand-placed limestone from a local quarry less than a mile from campus while the remainder of the building is clad in a maintenance-free metal panel. The metal panel profiles are randomized to create a unique rhythm that reinvigorates the mundane metal panel surface quality on a typical k-12 campus.