Forest Hill Elementary School

3368 Forest Hill Irene Road, Germantown, TN 38138 United States

Building Area (sf): 110000

Completion: July 2019

Architect of Record:

A2H, Inc.

Stewart Smith, AIA
Lisa Starzinski
Adam White
Robert Taylor
Michael Howell, PE
Chet Winstead, PLA
Sherry Hoover, PE
Nathan Stewart, PE
Cody Rumburg, EI

• Owner/Client:
• General Contractor: Baldwin & Shell Construction Company
• Electrical: A2H, Inc. also provided the following services:
  Civil / Structural / Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical / Fire Protection Engineering, Landscape Architectural.
• Engineering:
  
• Other:
  
• Photography:
  Featured Image - Main Entrance. Photo by Creation Studios, Inc.
  1 - 3D Site Plan.
  2 - National Registrar 300 Year Old Oak Tree. Photo by A2H, Inc.
  3 - 3D Circulation Plan.
  4 - Floor Plan & Interior Spaces. Photos by Creation Studios, Inc.
  5 - Exterior Facade across Campus Lake. Photo by A2H, Inc.
  6 - Campus Exteriors & Interior View of Campus. Photos by A2H, Inc.
  7 - Campus Exteriors. Photos by Creation Studios, Inc. & A2H, Inc.
  8 - Interior Hallway - Photo by Creation Studios, Inc.
  9 - Library - Photo by Creation Studios, Inc.
  10 - Interior Spaces. Photos by Creation Studios, Inc.
  

Forest Hill Elementary School is the inaugural ground-up school of the newly established Germantown Municipal School District. Completed in 2019, the 110,000 sf campus accommodates grades K-5, with a core enrollment capacity of 800 students. Forest Hill provides a comprehensive, holistic curriculum in a state-of-the-art facility nestled in a welcoming, established neighborhood.

Initiated by a strong pre-design engagement with the community, the design provides clarity in response to complex demands, site characteristics, available resources, educational equity and an esprit de corps among policy-makers, funding bodies, the neighborhood…all committed to educational excellence.

After identification and analysis of multiple sites, the Project Team assisted GMSD in choosing a site supportive of their sustainability goals and an avant-garde educational program. Located in the heart of Germantown on 36 picturesque acres, FHES exudes a true “campus” persona. Embraced by a canopy of mature trees, campus views to the north with views of a pond shadowed by a 300 year old tree on the National Register. The site serves as an extension of the classroom, transitioning into nature while providing safety for students and the neighborhood in a heavily-trafficked area.

Tasteful materials and emergent technology create dramatic, transparent, day-lit geometries…integral to the curriculum. Transparent academic spaces are oriented around an external tree bosque that provides daylighting and access to outdoor classrooms and playground. Classrooms are linked to multipurpose and administrative spaces via double-loaded corridors adorned in bright, contrasting colors that promote both external views and internal security. The new school integrates a combination of advanced technology classrooms and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) spaces throughout. City infrastructure extended to the new school will support and spur future development of the southeast sector of Germantown.

Forest Hill Elementary continues to be a cornerstone and source of pride for this Tennessee community.

Entering the school, you are immediately greeted by an open, transparent administrative area. providing control, security, and a warm welcome.

This design and entry sequence allows for a higher level of security during the school day, and an uninterrupted passageway during higher traffic times at the beginning and end of the day.

The circulation path was designed in a horseshoe formation around the courtyard for efficiency during high traffic class changes. The lighting, entering from a combination of the courtyard, light-wells, and at either ends of the main halls, illuminate the space and direct students.

Zoned with Athletic and Arts precinct on one side and an academic precinct on the other, the building creates an exterior courtyard that offers a flexible multi-use space for outdoor classes and activities.

The Athletic and Arts precinct is located on the lower elevation, allowing the height to accommodate gyms, an auditorium, and other high-bay spaces.

The two-story academic precinct elevates teachers and students above the surrounding landscape, enhancing transparency, view, and security.

The courtyard blurs the distinction between indoor and outdoor, challenging conventional norms of school design. Students and teachers benefit from the fresh air, sunshine, views and socialization of the courtyard year round.

Programmed and designed to accommodate formal functions, academic exercises, casual study and social interaction; the courtyard serves as a primary organizing element of the campus design.

The courtyard is intentionally simple, featuring concrete benches, site lighting, a blanket of grass, and canopy of trees to calm and encourage creativity and imagination in its use.

Forest Hill Elementary School’s open and innovative learning environment creates a renewed energy and interest in exploration and education.

Transparency, transition and connectivity of the outdoors to the facility’s interior spaces is a most successful element of comfort and ergonomics of the school’s design.

The library, housing over 15,000 new books, is accommodated by low-profile shelving that allows natural light and views; most notably of the surrounding forest and pond.

The combination of vibrant colors and flexible seating make for a dynamic and active space.

A key component of the school’s overall design was for community engagement and partnership with the City of Germantown. The gymnasium reflects this goal by providing a secure lobby and parking area for after-hours and community use.

The gym contains seating for 500, four adjustable basketball goals, wooden play-court, acoustic paneling, and natural lighting enhancing activities and events.

Inspired by the surrounding old-growth forest, this interactive installation illustrates students’ personal growth and educational advancement.

As students begin their academic journey, their names and likenesses are placed as “leaves” on the branches of the tree. Through their academic years, the students progress upward along the tree branches, and once graduated, are allowed to remove their respective “leaf”.

Classroom corridors incorporate variations of the school colors that are visually pleasing and stimulate school spirit.

The same colors extend into the classrooms, where small hints of blues and golds create continuity and gray is used for primary focus at the teaching wall.

Ergonomic, flexible and versatile furniture is used to enhance a range of learning environments, whether in a traditional classroom, STEAM rooms, robotics lab, or activity room.

The foundation of all spaces is meant to inspire instruction and learning.