Conway Elementary School

Orlando, Florida

Firm

BRPH

Client

Orange County Public Schools

Area

86,334 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$15,545,121

Completion Date

10/2007

Conway Elementary School replaces a 55-year-old “finger” school with a two-story building incorporating 34 classrooms, a media center, art room, technology lab, music room, administrative offices, entry lobby and dining multipurpose space.
The school’s most prominent feature is the lobby rotunda with two sets of double glass doors complemented by two stories of windows, natural wood ceilings and richly colored tile floors. This sunny, welcoming space set with rich, earthy colors provides a beautiful and calming transition from the environmental elements outside to the learning environment inside.
The rotunda doubles as a showcase for student artwork or an informal setting for concerts, luncheons, receptions and community gatherings. The octagonal shape serves as a secure and convenient access hub, providing the flexibility to restrict entry to student and administrative areas while allowing after-hours use of the lobby rotunda, cafetorium and media center for community and school-related functions.
The new school was constructed on the same site as the original school, which maintained full operation through construction. Neither class schedules nor extracurricular activities were disrupted during the process.