In an effort to become a premier educational institution, the new Lawson Middle School, formerly Dowling Middle School, provides students with a 210,000 sq. ft., 21st-century learning environment.
With a history rich in the arts, the new 1,300-capacity facility includes spaces for the visual and fine arts, theater arts, and vocal and instrumental music programs. The Arts Department is designed as the central hub of the school and includes an auditorium to complement and support student performances.
Through several meetings with community groups, a vision was set that guided the development of the new facility. This vision for the new school not only focused on the arts, but also encourages student learning through collaborative spaces, learning commons, and science learning center, and included designing space to support the community.
Our team took into consideration the site’s proximity to Sims Bayou, while keeping in mind the school’s identity through material selection, and creating visual and pedestrian connections with the community.
