Loudoun County High School

1. 2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture Loudoun County High School Leesburg, Virginia High School Renovations Award Hayes Large Architects, LLP

2. Loudoun County High School

3. Preserving a Community Landmark Community Environment: Loudoun County treasured the Georgian design of its flagship County High School, which reflects the historic architecture of Leesburg, Virginia. Great care was taken to restore the classic central façade, down to the detail of replicating the original wood windows and preserving the original cupola and slate roof.

4. New Atrium Provides Views into Library Community Environment: Continued… Community use of school facilities has always been an important design criterion for Loudoun County Public Schools. Many community activities interface with academic programs, including the school’s dynamic art and theater programs. This atrium lobby is the new home for an annual student art show.

5. Aligning Academic Components Learning Environment: narrative Programmatic alignment through appropriate clustering of activities was a primary goal during renovation. Program clusters had been lost over the years through the accretion of small additions and renovations. The reconfigured plan has dramatically improved the learning environment by increasing adjacencies and accessibility for all programs. Interconnected spaces and modern infrastructure enable the school to respond to emerging and anticipated technologies and teaching methods. New Carpentry Lab (above) Guidance Resource Center (left)

6. Creating a New Hub for Academic Energy and Information Learning Environment: Continued The new Library, relocated from a second floor corner to a prominent first floor location in the center of the school, occupies a space that was the 1954 school’s original gymnasium. The new light-filled Library/Media center opens to a future outdoor reading area to be known as the Library Garden. A new auxiliary gym was created near the Athletics/Health programmatic cluster, offering access to an existing gym and adjacent locker rooms. Other disciplines that were co-located are Math/Science, Business/Computers and the Arts and Humanities.

7. Dramatic Improvement in Circulation Physical Environment – Narrative One of the many success stories of the renovation is the remarkable improvement in building circulation. Previous additions had created three second-floor wings that were widely separated and accessible only via multiple up-and-down stair trips. A new efficient and visually stunning “skywalk” links the formerly unconnected upper floors. The glass-walled walkway threads its way in and out of the building; it skims the roof and overlooks landscaped courtyards and becomes an interior hallway with views into the library and new gymnasium.

8. Supporting A Vibrant Arts Program Physical Environment – Continued Renovations of the Auditorium included a new handicap accessible thrust stage, new seating, lighting and acoustics, and new support spaces such as a “green room” and “black box theatre” for rehearsals.

9. Skywalk Provides View Into New Gymnasium Planning Process: Narrative A renovation of this complexity can only be achieved through a highly collaborative planning process. The Planning Committee included the Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, the building Principal, Director of Support Services, Director of Planning and Design, Hayes Large Architects and Engineering Consultants. The team established specific goals for both the modernization and preservation of this beloved school. Improving circulation and clustering of academic spaces were among the top priorities.

10. Planning Committee Collaboration Key to Project Success Planning Process: Continued The Planning Committee met regularly to flesh out the program and educational specifications for the project, review designs and confirm that all original objectives were met. The team developed a detailed construction phasing plan that allowed for uninterrupted operation of the facility year-round during renovation.

11. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

12. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

13. Former Gymnasium BecomesNew Library/Media Center The intelligence hub and information technology center was relocated to the heart of the school. Filled with natural daylight from the former gym clerestories, this state-of-the-art Library is supplemented by an electronic classroom capable of broadcasting media throughout the school and school system. Gymnasium--Before

14. Preserving An Historic Lobby While Enhancing Security and Supervision Lobby--Before Loudoun County wanted to preserve the historic look and feel of the school’s 1950s era lobby. The new Administration Offices, now located strategically at the front of the building for improved supervision and security, are entered though glass doors cleverly inserted through an opening carved out of a former lobby display case.

15. Renovated Auditorium Provides Access and Inspiration for All Auditorium--Before Improvements include upgraded seating with handicap accessible spaces, a new thrust stage with invisible handicap access, provision for floor-level performances, new reflective ceiling for better acoustics, and a new catwalk with concealed stage lighting. While both function and aesthetics are greatly improved, the character of the original auditorium was maintained.

16. Natural Light Enhances Hallway and Improves Way-finding This formerly overcrowded artificially lit hall now expands the Library and Auditorium entrances both horizontally and vertically, sustainably borrowing natural light from the library clerestories and the skywalk that passes above. Way-finding and orientation are greatly improved through this new feature. Hallway --Before

17. New Skywalk Provides Both Interior and Exterior Connections for Students The challenge to create a second level path presented a wonderful opportunity to not only solve a serious circulation problem, but to also create a visual experience for students and faculty as they traverse the building. The skywalk serves as an orientation and day-lighting device that enlivens the school and complements the Atrium Lobby.