Southwestern Middle School, Addition and Reconstruction

Lafayette, Indiana

Firm

Scholer Corporation

Client

Tippecanoe School Corporation

Area

91,176 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$15,000,000

Completion Date

08/2015

Design team:
C&T Design and Equipment Co. (Food Service Equipment); Fink Roberts & Petrie, Inc. (Structural Engineering); Stair Associates, Inc. (Electrical Engineering); Design 27 Technologies + Acoustics (Communications and Acoustics); TBIRD Design Services Corp. (Civil Engineering); STR Building Resources, LLC (Roofing)

In November 2013, Southwestern Middle School sustained tremendous damage when a tornado tore through southern Tippecanoe County.
The roof was blown off the east wing and the gymnasium and cafeteria of the school. Exterior gymnasium walls were destroyed, and the gymnasium entry wing was damaged structurally beyond repair. Classrooms, corridors and office spaces throughout the facility suffered extensive damage.
In the east wing, reconstruction included classrooms, corridors and the entire roof. Reconstruction in the west wing included the main entry lobby, offices, the cafeteria, the band rehearsal area, the entire gymnasium and the roof over the gymnasium and cafeteria.
Also included in the project were several additions. At the school’s west entrance, a new atrium leads to the gymnasium lobby. Down the hall from a new concession stand are restrooms, an athletic office and a classroom. In the center of the facility, a new choir room replaces a former courtyard. At the front of the school, a new main entrance welcomes guests into a sunlit atrium lobby adjacent to new administrative spaces.