Building Area: 35,000 s.f.
Date of Completion: 2008
Type: New Construction
Location: Knoxville, TN
Budget: $3,800,000
Challenge: Design a new state-of-the-art science building for a prominent private school and at the same time set a new architectural tone for all future construction and renovation for the entire campus.
Solution: As part of a comprehensive campus master plan, BMa was commissioned to design this science building for one of the Southeast’s leading preparatory schools. This state-of-the-art facility includes eight labs and a special projects lab for competitions and advanced courses of study.
Serving as the north anchor of the school’s new Founders Common, the Clayton Science Center incorporates a soaring glass atrium into a traditional prep school design, forming the backdrop for a 250-seat outdoor amphitheater that flows into the Commons. Siting the building to meet geologic issues (limestone karst sinkholes) while preserving the design intent of the master plan presented a unique challenge for the project.