PROJECT Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School

LOCATION  Waldorf, Maryland US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  7/30/2019

ARCHITECT  Smolen Emr Ilkovitch Architects

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT/DESIGNER  N/A

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  1. Ran Ilkovitch, NCARB, AIA (Principal-in-Charge), 2. Krystal McGee, ALEP (Learning Environments Planner), 3. Michael Dulcich, Assoc. AIA, CDT, LEED AP BD+C (Project Manager), 4. Brian McCracken, NCARB, AIA (Project Architect)

OWNER/CLIENT Charles County Public Schools

CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Scheibel Construction

PHOTOGRAPHER  Lester Escobal

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT N/A
CIVIL ENGINEER Collinson, Oliff & Associates
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Comprehensive Structural Solutions, LLC
MECHANICAL ENGINEER Alban Engineering, Inc
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Alban Engineering, Inc
CONSULTANT Doo Consulting, LLC (LEED Consultant), 531 Piccadilly Road, Towson, MD 21204, peter@dooconsulting.net, 443-463-5859
CONSULTANT Nyikos-Garcia Food Service Design, Inc (Food service), 18219-A Flower Hill Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20879, jgarcia@nyikos.com, 240-683-9530
CONSULTANT MK Consulting Engineers (Cost Estimating), 301 Central Avenue, PO Box 265, Glyndon, MD 21070, mcrampton@mkceng.com, 667-210-2481
CONSULTANT Complete Commissioning Inc. (Commissioning), 435 Williams Ct, Suite 124, Baltimore, MD 21220, kgilmour@completecx.com, 443-221-7020
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT  

Designed in alignment with Next Generation Learning principles, the modernization and expansion of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School focuses on concepts of community, sustainability and collaboration. The design team transformed the aging school from a state rated capacity of 404 students to a 76,819 square foot LEED Gold certified facility serving 542 students.

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School was originally constructed in 1967 with 30 pupil classrooms arranged around open plan teaching spaces. Classrooms were designed with flexible partitions and minimal windows to accommodate energy savings and permanent teaching walls. As an aging facility, designed for teacher led instruction, the time had come to update the school for next generation learning.

The design approach utilized the majority of the existing building with strategic additions to maximize natural light in teaching spaces and provide an intuitive plan arrangement, greatly simplifying the existing dark, labyrinthine corridor system. Floor patterns and large exterior windows make orientation and wayfinding straightforward. By incorpo¬rating a color scheme by grade level, students can easily navigate to their “neighborhood” following the colored stripes on the floor.

The modernization re-envisions the future of education by focusing the architecture on learners. Classroom are organized in “neighborhoods” strategically planned at corridor ends to eliminate through traffic. The center of each neighborhood has been sculpted to capture circulation space for learning activities. Supervision from the surrounding classrooms through glazing allow students to use the spaces freely. These dynamic environments support each student’s learning style featuring a variety of flexible, fun furnishings ensuring students are comfortable and ready to learn. Vibrant color, ceiling planes, and floor patterns define the space and are combined with learning tools such as electronic displays and writeable surfaces.

The new plan appropriately separates public and private zones of the building with the gymnasium, cafeteria, and media center consolidated near the main entrance and all classrooms along the perimeter wings. Special programs serving all students such as art, music and science lie in the building’s core.

The project also incorporates some unique programs such as a special education regional center and a Judy Center. As the hub of its community, it was important that the building reflects the school’s giving spirit. As a result, the Judy Center was prominently located adjacent to the main entrance with its own dedicated entrance for community use off-hours.

The stunning renovated building now reflects its unique, passionate community with its colorful windows and playful brick façade. The result is a sustainable, bright, airy environment designed to inspire and serve the needs of every student and their community.
 

JURY COMMENTS (If Applicable)

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)

1. Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School - Main Entrance. Photography by Lester Escobal
2. SMES was constructed in 1967 as an open plan school. The modernization addition re-envisions the future of education by focusing the architecture on learners. Photography by Lester Escobal
3. Dynamic collaboration areas support each student's learning style featuring a variety of flexible, fun furnishings. Photography by Lester Escobal

4. Vibrant color, ceiling planes, and floor patterns define the space and are combined with learning tools such as electronic displays and writeable surfaces. Photography by Lester Escobal
5. As the heart of the school, the media center was renovated to accommodate areas for full classroom learning, a playful reading nook, bookshelves, and makerspace. Photography by Lester Escobal
6. A new, full-sized gym, featuring clerestory windows that diffuse natural light. Photography by Lester Escobal
7. The expansive corner windows offer calming views of nature while the colored glass creates playful reflections throughout the building following the sun’s path. Photography by Lester Escobal
8. The renovated building now reflects its community with its colorful windows and playful brick facade. -Photography by Lester Escobal