Design committee talks middle school

Architects and Fort Morgan school district officials are in the midst of discussions that will define what the new middle school will look like.

With funds available, there is a lot to discuss and several details to go over. But as the meetings commence, we take a look at what these groups are thinking about.

Two architecture firms hired to design the new middle school, Wold Architects and Engineers and Larson Incitti Architects, accompanied the small Design Advisory Committee (DAG) on three tours of Colorado middle schools to generate ideas. Based on those tours, DAG members made notes of what they would like to see. The two most talked about elements were a "pod" school design and a "cafetorium".

Job Gutierrez with Wold said a "pod" middle school concept looks to divide classes by team, placing them in distinct parts of the building. Gutierrez said middle school classes are generally sixth, seventh and eighth grades, and each class is divided in two teams. A new pod middle school would have space to accommodate each group, Gutierrez said.

DAG members also discussed a cafetorium, space that could be utilized as a cafeteria and an auditorium. Gutierrez said the benefit of the cafetorium is that it diversifies the building, making it a place the community can use as well. Although DAG members generally liked the cafetorium concept, they discussed pros and cons of specific layouts, like whether or not there should be fixed seating. Notes also revealed DAG members thought a clear distinct stage should be in the cafetorium.

Gutierrez said the DAG took note of "unified arts" programs, which would require designated space for individualized learning experiences.

"It's a flexible classroom with small group individual learning," he said.

The space wouldn't affect the shop program, but would allow space for students to study special interests, like music production, robotics, etc.

DAG members and the architects continue having discussions of middle school designs on entryways, locker layout and much more. The school district plans to hold community meetings in the future for community members to provide feedback to the design of a new middle school.

Zachary Laux: 970-867-5651, zlaux@fmtimes.com or Twitter @FTMorganEditor

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Design committee talks middle school