Nation Ford High School
Fort Mill, South Carolina
Serving South Carolina’s fastest-growing district, the gleaming, high-tech Nation Ford High School promises a bright future and uniquely reflects Fort Mill’s historic identity.
Design inspiration sparked from meetings with school officials and the town’s textile mill origins; the architect was challenged to meld heritage and current resources with curricular vision.
Today’s two-story, 249,500-square-foot facility of brick, glass and metal welcomes 1,500 students in grades 9 through 12, with core capacity for tomorrow’s 1,800.
Optimizing a stubborn environment, its trapezoid footprint cuts a north-south axis into 75 acres of sloping red clay and piney woods.
Expansive glass entrances with cantilevered canopies form a “gateway” corridor to host ongoing learning and public after-school functions. The architecture also harvests natural light through rhythmic placement of windows and clerestories—more than 16,000 square feet of glass. Along with increased daylight, 78 interactive whiteboards and a technology-based media center support student performance. A branching floor plan offers traditional organization and security of administrative areas, classrooms and common support spaces, including the gym, 900-seat auditorium and airy commons/cafeteria, as well as facility expansion opportunities.
Additional Information
Capacity
1,800
Cost per Sq Ft
$121.81
Featured in
2008 Architectural Portfolio
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