Designed in collaboration with STUDIO+, the Babcock Ranch expansion completes the campus vision as part of a master-planned community with three designated school sites. The entire campus is thoughtfully organized around a central green lawn—a gathering space that serves as the heart of student life.

The master plan evolved during the design process to better serve the educational program. When the original concept of housing band and chorus rooms within the high school addition proved problematic due to acoustic concerns, the team reimagined a former utility yard as a dedicated arts building. Through extensive massing studies evaluating various schemes for a new K-8 Expansion, the design team ultimately determined that a three-story solution would best serve the program requirements.

Continuing the design language of the campus, the facility prioritizes student safety and wellbeing with sightlines between corridors and classrooms to address potential bullying concerns. Central to this focus is the design of single-stall bathrooms with central vanities to replace traditional multi-stall configurations, eliminating one of the major spaces where bullying can occur.

The building’s signature moment occurs immediately upon arrival. Visitors pass through a secure lobby leading to a dramatic two-story atrium. Dubbed “the Connector,” the bridge-like balcony spans the space, allowing students to engage with the activity below. This central gathering space features ultra-wide corridors that extend learning beyond classroom walls, with dedicated learning nodes positioned every four classrooms.

Flexible furnishings can be reconfigured to support various learning styles, while built-in benches and optional tables transform circulation spaces into active learning environments. Huddle rooms off the main corridors provide quiet spaces for small groups to work.

The L-shaped floor plan connects the new construction to the existing high school at the rear. We relocated the administrative suite to the new expansion which serves as a new front door for the K-8 school.  The modern addition completes the next phase of the campus vision and promotes the continued growth of the campus as a leader in education in the community.