Greg Poste, Project Architect

St. Pius X Catholic Elementary School was designed for the communities of two schools that were both slated for closure.  Our client challenged us to create a school design that would welcome both communities to unite as one new larger school community.  Through the design phase of the project MMMC met with the principal and his teaching staff to better understand what their vision was for this new school, and engaged the communities of the existing schools in an open house forum to present our design concepts and to listen to their concerns and ideas.  This engagement of all parties early in the design phase helped to begin to bring the two communities together as one and gave all a sense of ownership to the school design.

The context of the site is described in detail, but the focal point of the existing site was the sister church St. Pius X that is located directly across the street.  Tying the design of the new school to the Catholic Church as a singular element helps to reinforce the religious values of the school board and their school community.  The placement of the school on the site and the primary views within the school to the church both reinforce this important value that all members of the school community can embrace.