Some Reasons I am Excited about Our New Lower School Building

I had mixed emotions about the demolition of our iconic and beloved Lower School building of 60 years. I was nervous about what we might be losing, yet excited for a new building for our next 60 years. I knew we made a bold and great choice in hiring Lake|Flato to design the new space. I knew we were incredibly fortunate to have so many community members step forward to help raise funds and then to have still more community members stretch their normal philanthropic tendencies to provide those funds. I knew there were going to be so many improvements coming in the new Lower School building. 

Before construction, I showed a virtual fly-through of the building to audiences that included parents, past parents, grandparents, alumni, current and former faculty and staff, and current and former Trustees. Almost every “showing” of the video contributed to building my excitement as I heard different constituents react. But those showings were stretched over five-plus years. The exciting moments were spread out.

When construction began, actually when demolition began, we had plenty of challenges, from waterline breaks to asbestos remnants and rain delays. I might have harbored quiet doubts about us getting to the finish line on time.

When the team from Linbeck planted the stakes showing the new building’s outline, my excitement grew precipitously. This building was going to be right on the “banks” of the dry creek bed, bringing the new Lower School so much closer than I had envisioned to the rest of the campus. That proximity of the new Lower School to the Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center, the Sid W. Richardson Round Gym and the Fischer Dining Pavilion was a wonderful surprise. 

As the building walls rose and the rooms took shape, and the giant crane placed the tree into the new courtyard, and the really robust landscaping came together, I watched as people installed numerous skylights. Meanwhile, members of the Linbeck team worked on concrete hallways, laid carpets, and added wall coverings. Finally, the installation of various technical elements brought real clarity—revealing how thoughtfully designed and exciting our new building truly was … is.

Our construction team from Linbeck tracks tours of the building. We've given 94 tours to date. I might have 94 reasons why I am excited about the new building. I’ll limit myself to a Top 14 list.

Here are the Top 14 things I am excited about as the new Lower School buildings gets ready for January 13, 2025, and the “first day of school”:

1. I hear people say, “It looks like it’s been here all along.” That’s a major compliment to Architects Brandy Rickels and Greg Papay.
2. Shari Fuller had first choice of rooms: She goes from 33 years of no outdoor access and all fluorescent lights to lots and lots of natural light.
3. Tammy Wolford goes from bookcases in a common-area Library to a self-contained Library, a really beautiful library with a stacks area, a seating area, and a fireplace.
4. Teresa Hoppe goes from a closet to a large office and to having Melissa Hickman as a second full-time Academic Support Coordinator in the office next door.
5. We have two large outdoor classrooms that also serve as giant back porches. 
6. The Lower School is now just on the other side of the “river” (the dry creek bed) from the rest of the campus and neighboring buildings. 
7. The Lower School Village has been great … and the change in ceilings alone will be especially dramatic as we move into the new building.
8. We have a Tornado Safe Room for the entire Lower School student body, faculty and staff.
9. Kelly Lanier Tierce ’93 will now run SOAR and Fort Wonder summer camps from an office in the Lower School.
10. We have a dedicated STEM/Science Hallway with three spectacular rooms with lots of light and lots of storage.
11. We have a great FWCD-like water feature for the Lower School.
12. We have a great new (and repurposed) playground, now under some of our most wonderful and huge oak trees.
13. So many community members, including families, faculty and staff, and alumni, have contributed in so many ways to make the building a reality. 
14. We set out to build another 60-year (at least) building. I think we accomplished that.