Tampa Heights Elementary Magnet School

Built in 1906 by volunteers from the surrounding community, Tampa Heights Elementary Magnet School has been an integral part of the Tampa Heights urban fabric for more than a century. In the wake of Hurricane Irma in September 2017, a failure in the building’s electrical system sparked a fire that destroyed much of the original school. The exterior masonry walls were salvaged and restored, and a new internal tectonic steel structure was designed to hold the brickwork safely in place.

To meet programmatic requirements, a two-story floating addition was constructed between the existing wings. The void between the existing footprint and addition becomes the vertical community organized around a central stair connecting all three levels. The dynamic relationship between the contemporary interior and historic exterior imbues the school with a renewed energy.

Reconfiguration of the site provides a single point of ingress and egress for enhanced safety. Improved amenities enrich the site and provide necessary supports for the reconstructed school. The rejuvenated courtyard features a shaded amphitheater tailored to small performances and outdoor lessons.

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