Ursuline Academy of Dallas, The French Family Math, Science & Technology Center

The French Family Science, Math and Technology Center (FFC) fulfills Ursuline Academy’s vision for a facility that transforms the educational opportunities for the students and the character and amenities of the campus. To construct two buildings linked by a gateway around an outdoor science room, the design team wove the FFC addition into the existing campus through careful coordination of class locations and schedules, temporary facilities, selective demolition, renovation and new construction.

The state-of-the-art LEED gold facility features science laboratories, specialized math, technology and language instruction classrooms, faculty offices, a multipurpose kiva, and casual seating to accommodate individual or group study. A century-old stained-glass window, a symbol of history and tradition for the school, was restored to form the centerpiece of the lobby.

Solar orientation, shading and angles were analyzed to maximize daylight and views for all classrooms and faculty offices while minimizing heat gain. The courtyard accommodates outdoor education and gathering while highlighting sustainable elements such as water-sparing landscaping, solar-energy collection and a cistern. The space also serves as a lightwell, providing daylight, views and ventilation.

The facility is a tool for teaching advanced curriculum and educates the students about their role in environmental stewardship.

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