The new STEM Building at CRISTA Ministries’ King’s Schools will serve students in grades 6-12 at this private K-12 institution. Designed to complement the architecture of the surrounding historic campus context, formerly a hospital for tuberculosis patients, the team was tasked with making a clear statement about both the quality and future of science education at King’s Schools. The project delivers modern teaching environments including state-of-the-art science labs; engineering labs for applied technology; a learning commons that supports research, discussion and collaboration; small group work space allowing personalized education; and a fundamental integration of math and science departments.
Within a tight footprint, every space is designed to support teaching and learning, every classroom is designed to be fully utilized at all times, and every lab was designed for both instruction and practice, minimizing the number of rooms needed. Visibility into, and from, every teaching space is fundamental to the success of an integrated curriculum and was a founding principle of the design. Further, outdoor learning labs and green building features connect students with the natural world and resource conservation, complementing their studies in biological, environmental, and earth sciences.