Kenneth E. Adum PreK-8 Magnet School
Tampa, Florida
Design team
Alexander “Lex” Long, AIA, IIDA, CGC, LEED AP (President, Principal-in-Charge, Architect); Christopher K. Rawlins, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, GGP (Project Manager & Architectural Support); Travis Steed, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C (VP of Architecture, Specifications & Quality Control); Robert Race II, PE (Electrical Engineer); William E. Brown, PE (LEED Green Associate, Mechanical Engineer); Paul E. Wieczorek, PE, SI (Structural Engineer)
Kenneth E. Adum Pre K–8 Magnet School showcases how innovative design can overcome major site constraints to create a next-generation, community-focused learning environment. Situated on a tight 12-acre infill site in South Tampa—half the land typically needed for a school serving 1,800 students—the campus replaces a cherished 1950s-era elementary school. Design challenges included limited acreage, a 100-year floodplain, and the need to minimize stormwater impact. The solution is a compact, vertical campus featuring two- and three-story buildings that maximize space and preserve green areas for outdoor learning and recreation. Integrated stormwater chambers and bioengineered ponds ensure the campus remains resilient during heavy rains. At its core is the Admin/Media Center, a beacon that anchors the campus physically and symbolically. The interior design embraces nature and verticality; striated concrete tilt walls evoke pine scrub forests; abundant daylight and durable materials like steel and glass reflect the region’s natural beauty and forward-thinking spirit. Flexible classroom layouts support modern teaching methods and enable collaboration across age groups. Spaces are scaled to serve a range of students and foster identity and school pride. The school emphasizes adaptability, performance and long-term community value. After school hours, amenities such as soccer fields and courts remain open for public use. Adum PreK-8 stands as a symbol of progress and opportunity for the South Tampa community.
Additional Information
Associated Firm
Creative Contractors (Contractor); Campo Engineering (Civil Engineer); Anderson Lesniak Limited (Landscape Architect); Tierra (Geotechnical Engineer); SGM Engineering (A/V Equipment), DC Johnson & Associates (Surveying & Mapping); Hatcher Engineering (Fire Protection Engineering)
Capacity
1,800
Cost per Sq Ft
$377.00
Featured in
2025 Architectural Portfolio
Other projects from this professional
Gulf High School
Design team Lex Long, AIA, IIDA, CGC, LEED AP (President, Principal-in-Charge, Architect); David...
University of Florida, Library West Addition/Renovation
Submitted for U.S. Green Building Council LEED gold certification, this project reinvented...
Orange Grove Magnet Middle School
The program called for the conversion of an existing elementary school into...
Bayshore High School
As a replacement for the adjacent high school (a converted middle school),...
Load moreProduct suppliers specified
AS&U Design Competitions
The ultimate tribute to education design excellence. If selected for publication, this distinctive...
Have an exceptional project that deserves national recognition? Want to show your best work to the...
