Hockinson Middle School
IBI Group designed this new middle school which breaks the old model of hierarchical, teacher-centered classrooms, and instead creates flexible spaces for the next generation.
Client
Hockinson School DistrictLocation
Brush Prairie, WARedesigned Hockinson Middle School breaks educational mold
The newly redesigned Hockinson Middle School accommodates 600 students and will meet the School District’s current and evolving educational programs, including modern science and technology spaces (STEM), accessibility requirements, and security needs. The new building facilitates next-generation learning practices, offering grade-level learning environments arranged around common areas providing break-out and extended learning opportunities, a glass enclosed maker space, and a variety of areas to support diverse learning styles. The design team, alongside the teachers and staff at Hockinson Middle School, explored a classroom layout that went beyond the typical old model of rectangular classrooms with a hierarchical “front” inhabited by the teacher.
The modern design does away with the single classroom teaching wall, and instead provides two whiteboards and seating for students in three circular pods of desks, with a “teaching station” nestled in the corner of the room. This design allows the teacher to move freely about the classroom, and students can focus on who or whatever the topic-at-hand is, not just on a single wall of the room.
The new school is built to the standards of the Washington State High-Performance School Buildings Program, ensuring a high level of sustainability and economic and financial efficiency.
Services and Project Types
Learning+
A new generation of minds is reshaping the way we approach education at all levels of learning. The changes to Hockinson Middle School threw away with the static classroom model to make way for flexible, next-generation learning.
Project Contact
Mathew Braun
Associate Principal - Education, Buildings
Portland, OR
During Mat’s 17 years with the firm he has enjoyed a diverse and extensive collection of projects. A recent effort has been the new Hockinson Middle School, an innovative public school in Southwestern Washington. He worked collaboratively with the contractor to bring it to completion, while being an advocate for key design concepts. Mat takes great care in all facets of the design process, applying a critical eye throughout every stage of a project. He is a valuable member of any team, willing to handle any task asked of him in order to adhere to project schedule and budget without compromising on design quality and intent.
Providing clients with a final product that satisfies and exceeds their vision is what inspires Mat. He was a key player in the modernization projects for North Santiam School District that involved upgrades to existing schools, and is project architect for Tigard-Tualatin School District’s Twality Middle School.