Isle of Hope School

Savannah, Georgia

Firm

James W. Buckley and Associates, Inc.

Client

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System

Area

121,826 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$20,221,066

Completion Date

07/2015

Design team
Craig R. Buckley, AIA (Principal-In-Charge); David J. Holton, AIA, April Mundy, AIA (Project Architects); Mark Taylor (Designer)

Isle of Hope School, a two-story pre-K-8 facility, was designed to contextually integrate within its picturesque coastal community. Set amid streets lined with large oak trees covered in Spanish moss, the building needed to not only blend in with its idyllic backdrop, but also seamlessly amalgamate into the historic neighborhood. The façade features white-coated brick with a green metal roof, materials selected to mimic the neighborhood’s predominant low country architecture of painted brick, clapboard siding, and tin roofs. Elliptical arched windows, covered walkways, and a lushly landscaped courtyard with tiered seating enhance the overall exterior impression.
The neutral color palette of the interior is reflective of the surrounding natural marsh. The cafetorium has an abundance of natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows along two sides of the school, with two-story volumes and coffered ceilings. The media center is on the second floor and features a balcony that overlooks the courtyard. The classrooms are organized by grade level; pre-K through 3rd is on the first floor, and 4th through 8th is on the second floor.
The use of terrazzo, interior brick and wood-paneled monumental stairs enrich the facility by adding texture, durability and aesthetic engagement.