Barberton High School

Barberton, Ohio

Firm

Lesko Associates, Inc.

Client

Barberton Board of Education

Area

264,968 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$32,780,000

Completion Date

03/2000

The program called for a new facility to replace an aged school. It has been designed for community use, incorporates the latest technology and is compatible with the city`s historical buildings.
The commons area defines distinct, connected elements for student and community use. An expansive, open two-story-high commons area with food court is a foyer to the performing-arts theater, main gymnasium and instructional gym. A landscaped courtyard along the commons area connects the front and rear entrances of the school, flooding the commons area with natural light. The media center faces a balcony that overlooks a central staircase and a courtyard.
Poor site conditions dictated that the building be built on 2,000 concrete piles that are set 30 to 40 feet deep. The soil characteristics lend themselves to installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system.
The district’s commitment to community use is apparent in the layout of the building with the auditorium, cafeteria, gymnasium, fieldhouse with running track, weightroom and exercise area clustered to the north end of the building, and easily separated from the academic areas.