To maintain its competitive advantage in academics and attract the state's brightest students, Fayetteville Public Schools tasked DLR Group to strategically re-structure its educational program into a Small Learning Community (SLC) model. This vision constitutes a massive modernization of aged buildings through a 36-month phased approach, allowing for continuous operation of the school during construction. The new SLCs are designed with core learning studios that feature discovery, project-based learning, and digital and applied learning labs to foster collaboration. Distributed administration, resource centers and dining allow students to spend a majority of their day within their SLC. The MEP design allows systems in each space to operate individually and ultimately be integrated into one, core system at project completion.
The scope for this project is a modernization and addition totaling 353,381 SF. Fayetteville High School is designed around small learning community studios and will serve 3,000 students in grades 9-12. The scope also included modernization to the administrative offices, student commons, performing arts center, resource center, and physical education/athletic facilities. The addition housing the SLCs features abundant glass and overlooks a new landscaped street which creates a collegiate campus feel, reflective of the school's ties to the University of Arkansas. The district's goal is to regularly collaborate with the University through advanced programs and studies. DLR Group provided planning, educational programming, architecture, interiors, and engineering services for the project in partnership with Hight Jackson Associates and Marlon Blackwell Architects.