Edneyville Elementary School Wins Grand Prize Award From Learning By Design Magazine
Clark Nexsen received the Grand Prize Award from Learning By Design Magazine in their Spring 2023 Educational Facilities Design Awards Showcase for Edneyville Elementary School. Awarded to projects that combine all the elements of a successful learning environment – innovation, sustainability, interiors, next-generation learning, planning and functional design, and community needs – Clark Nexsen’s Early Childhood/Elementary School award is one of three Grand Prize Award winners out of 51 submissions in this year’s showcase.
Built for Henderson County Public Schools in North Carolina, Edneyville Elementary School reflects goals for a collaborative, 21st-century learning environment, outdoor instruction, and integration as a community center. To connect with the site and community, all classrooms face west to capture views of the local lake and mountains. A large open atrium with student seating connects floor levels and collaboration spaces. Resource classrooms, student services, and professional development areas are throughout the building.
The jury commented, “The design is fresh, utilizes the site topography, and the sustainable features are apparent in both the exterior and interior elements.”
In addition to creating a modern, 21st-century learning environment, Edneyville Elementary School connects to its surrounding environment through sustainability and design philosophy. Native plants were used exclusively, 100% of stormwater is captured on-site, and 95% of spaces benefit from natural daylight and direct exterior views. Using a wood structure reduced the project’s embodied carbon by 64 tons of CO2, and exceeding insulation code requirements resulted in 40% less energy than baseline.
About Learning By Design Magazine
Learning By Design Magazine is a source of educational design and innovation excellence. Published three times each year in April, June, and October, this prestigious magazine recognizes the nation’s preeminent architectural firms by publishing outstanding pre-K to 12 and college/university projects.
