Valle Crucis SchoolWatauga County Schools, Sugar Grove, NC

The new Valle Crucis School is designed to support future-focused learning with an open, engaging environment that fosters curiosity and critical thinking. Serving 400 students in grades PK-8, the new school features a two-story classroom wing and an activity wing that houses the cafeteria, gymnasium, and music classrooms such as voice and band. The wings meet at a central lobby, which acts as a hub and includes the media center, administrative spaces, outdoor courtyard, and three secure entrances.

Size

75,000 SF

Completion

2025

Services

Architecture, Interiors, FFE
Electrical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering,
Mechanical Engineering, Plumbing

A variety of seating areas in and around the lobby promote socialization and exposed structural wood decking adds warmth to the space. The second floor of the central lobby has balconies for gathering and collaboration that overlook the lobby space below. 

Abundant and accessible outdoor spaces accommodate instruction, play, and exploration

The COVID-19 pandemic and the growing body of research about the mental and physical benefits of time spent outdoors drove the creation of plentiful and easily accessible outdoor spaces. The classroom wing includes a sunken courtyard under the roof overhang, and all first floor classrooms have access to this space. The second floor integrates an outdoor roof deck for classes and events.

Play spaces are accessed from the activities wing, while vegetable gardens that will be cultivated by the students are directly adjacent to the cafeteria. A rain cistern collects water to irrigate these gardens – functioning as both a learning tool and a way to reduce water use.

Community access and connection to the environment were key design priorities

Integration with the community and connection to the environment were key priorities that informed the design. Throughout the building, extensive glazing supports a strong connection with the outdoors. The cafeteria features soaring views to the mountains and is intended as both a student and community space, and the gymnasium is high school size to accommodate community activities and recreation.

Community access extends to the outdoor spaces, which include plans to create a walk along the Watauga River that will connect to a nearby public park. While the site sits almost entirely within the flood plain, the design strategically leverages the topography for both civic presence and flood resilience. Situated at the high point of the site and fronting the main road, the building establishes a welcoming street front. The back of the site slopes down toward the river. To safeguard the structure from recurring flood events, fill was added to raise the building pad four feet above the flood plain. Pedestrian and vehicular bridges promote the preservation of existing wetlands. To blend with the surrounding neighborhood which include a boardwalk across the preserved wetlands and plans to create and minimize traffic back-ups on the main road during drop-off and pick-up, the site design locates the parking behind the school and improves the traffic pattern for parents and buses.

Design inspired by area’s context and local materials achieves Historic Commission approval

It was important to the Historic Commission and the community that the new school align with the surrounding neighborhood. The building aesthetic was inspired by the area’s rural beauty and agrarian roots. Wood siding, a sloping roof, and elements of stone and metal reflect the surrounding context through form and materiality. With no city services available, a dedicated well supplies water to the building and its sprinkler tank silo.