Ann Richards School

Austin, Texas

Firm

O’Connell Robertson

Client

Austin Independent School District

Area

183,800 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$57,000,000

Completion Date

10/2021

Sterling E. Stevens

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The Ann Richards School’s new building is an innovative and inspiring learning environment developed with the school’s core values and distinctive STEM/Maker culture in mind. Flexibility was critical to support existing programs and to allow for future curricular and instructional changes. Folding classroom walls and careful furniture selections provide a variety of types and sizes of learning spaces for maximum flexibility.

“Neighborhoods” were created for each grade level; they can expand nimbly as needs change. The design and construction teams chose partitions that can withstand the ebbs and flows of a flexible learning environment. All instructional spaces support a variety of technology, and each neighborhood has a collaboration area and access to the outdoors. The library, multiple maker spaces, and science labs provide additional areas for STEM-based instruction.

The challenge of designing and building a comprehensive facility within an active community and school site was met through development of a well-coordinated and phased construction plan that took into account the school schedule, including testing, sports seasons, and holidays.