jc Harmon
HIGH SCHOOL
JC Harmon High School was a joint project between third year architects and landscape architects to redesign an existing high school in Kansas City, KS. The semester long project was broken up into four parts and focused on collaboration between the different studios as well as industry partners and the freshman class of JC Harmon itself. From this we gained outside knowledge from our peers, our clients (the students), and consulting professionals.
In the first and second design phases, groups of four completed in depth analyses of community level context, then worked on mapping the site and creating a conceptual site plan. Splitting into groups of two, partners were then tasked with designing individual learning environments after researching modern teaching styles. Only after all of this, did the partners collaborate to design the school itself.
Neighborhood Analysis
The proposed community revitalization plan aims to improve mental health through nature in the under-served community of Argentine. To do this, it introduces green streets and a unifying trail system that connects community landmarks, encouraging exercise and socialization. I assisted with the initial district research on demographics and local culture and proposed that the trails connect important landmarks.
Site Analysis
Addressing a lack of local health and counseling services, the site plan focuses on healing through the senses with a variety of different gardens and areas fostering physical, mental, and social well-being. I was responsible for the original site concept and sensory research, helped choose the different types of gardens, planned the processional layout of the areas, and drew the site map.
Building Design
The final building design continues the theme of addressing mental health by addressing the needs of different personality types, taking the form of two distinct buildings that divide social and individual activities to allow students to choose the environment they can best learn in. Natural wetlands on the site are directed beneath a central connecting sky bridge, resulting in a variety of complementary landscape environments for outdoor activities.
Entry
Spaces
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Primary Entrance
Tutoring/Counseling
Cafeteria
Restroom
Elevator
Primary Gym
Viewing Balcony
Auxiliary Gym
Classroom Pod
Exterior Balcony
Sky-walk Library
Auditorium
Primary Terrace
Elective Classroom
Secondary Entrance
Level II
Social Oriented Building
Individual Oriented Building
Skywalk Library
Learning Environment Design
Finally, the learning environments aim to continue the concept of the building on a smaller scale. Originally designed before the school structure, the learning environments were then reworked to fit better into the overall design. Classrooms of varying sizes and layouts, ring a central commons space for students to study and socialize. Each pod also has direct access to the outdoors, be it the courtyard or an adjacent terrace.
Learning Commons
"Introverted" Commons
Exterior Social Spaces
Level II
Level I