Moon Area High School

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Firm

Foreman Architects Engineers

Client

Moon Area School District

Area

281,200 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$42,750,000

The proposed Moon Area High School acts as an ambassador between residential and commercial areas within the school district. The vehicular approach slopes down to the building, and great care was taken to create the grand western entrance, which terminates the approach axis. Because of the roof’s lower elevation, it was given special consideration. Mechanical equipment is tucked neatly under lofty, metal-hipped gable roofs.
Students and faculty park west of the building. Buses circumnavigate the building to drop off students to the east. From either entrance, circulation is directed into a central lobby area with the main stair. This central area serves as a gathering point that unites students and builds a sense of community. From here, academic wings extend radially to the south.
Other non-academic activity spaces to the north include an 850-seat auditorium flexible enough to accommodate a variety of programs; a cafeteria serving 450 students with food-court-style service; an eight-lane pool with diving area; and a gymnasium featuring a full-size basketball court that has retractable bleachers and transforms into two courts with a curtain-type divider.