The Rosa O. Valdes STEM + Innovation Center – Greenhill School
Contractor: Scott + Reid General Contractors, Inc.
Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Engineer: Walter P Moore
A Cutting-Edge Home for Math, Science, and Innovation
The Valdes STEM + Innovation Center, spanning 67,400 square feet, serves as a transformative space for middle and upper school math, science, and innovation at Greenhill School, a leading independent day school in the greater Dallas area. Designed to promote cross-disciplinary collaboration, the center features a variety of classrooms, fabrication and robotics labs, and makerspaces, intentionally integrated to foster teamwork and creativity.
A Flexible Learning Environment
This well-designed facility provides a warm, natural atmosphere for diverse activities, with ample glass allowing visual connections between learning spaces and sheltered outdoor areas. A modular classroom design features a raised access floor plenum, ensuring future flexibility for evolving technologies and educational needs. The expansive, double-height commons area serves as an inviting hub for collaboration, meetings, and social interactions among students and faculty.
Sustainable Design Features
Throughout the Valdes STEM + Innovation Center, students encounter hands-on opportunities to explore integrated sustainable design principles. Key features include the use of mass timber, daylight autonomy, rainwater harvesting, and energy conservation measures. The decision to incorporate a mass timber structure early in the design process aimed to reduce the project’s carbon footprint and enhance long-term flexibility. A green roof and courtyard rain garden highlight native plantings and effective water management. The restoration of the historic cistern facilitates discussions around the water cycle and sustainable practices.
A Contextual Building Inspired by Tradition
The design reflects familiar elements of the Greenhill campus, such as brick, heavy timber, and natural lighting, creating a building that is seamlessly connected to its surroundings. An expansive interior courtyard draws daylight into the central commons and circulation pathways, reminiscent of the former Agnich Science Building. The commons and adjacent café invite the broader Greenhill community into the center, fostering opportunities for collaboration with regional higher education institutions and industry partners.
Project Highlights
– Innovative Design: A modern facility that balances aesthetics and functionality, fostering interdisciplinary education across science and technology.
– Sustainable Practices: Incorporation of mass timber and green roofing enhances environmental stewardship while providing a dynamic learning environment.
– Engineering Showcase: Features exceptionally large glulam beams (130 ft long), demonstrating the structural possibilities of engineered wood for long-span applications.
– Community Engagement: A welcoming commons area and café facilitate connections between students, faculty, and the local community, promoting ongoing engagement with education and industry partners.