Valley Forge Educational Services Media Center

Malvern, Pennsylvania

Firm

Heckendorn Shiles Architects

Client

Valley Forge Educational Services

Area

1,700 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$946,691

Completion Date

03/2023

Don Pearse Photographers

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Valley Forge Educational Services is an Approved Private School in Pennsylvania that offers a continuum of educational, recreational, and employment-related programs for individuals ages 4 to 24 with disabilities. Its third campus improvement project with the architect since 2017 was a “full gut” transformation of the existing library into a versatile media center. The goal was a welcoming multiuse space for middle and high school socialization and instruction. The new media center consists of four zones: the entry zone, the gaming zone, the media teaching zone, and the library zone. The number of books in the library was reduced by 50% to free up space for lounge and teaching areas, as well as a librarian desk and storage. Expansion and enclosure of the media zone responded to the school’s need to increase assistive technology capabilities and space for all learning abilities.

Transparent partitions and a shade system not only provide spatial flexibility for programming but also create adaptable sensory-friendly zones as needed. New ceiling acoustics, lighting, safety glass and Lexan walls, furniture, and finishes were carefully imagined in a “cool and celestial” vibe.