West Melbourne, FL, – As the school year begins in Florida, Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc., an award-winning full-service architectural, interiors, and design firm, is proud to have worked with Brevard Public Schools and TSARK Architecture to design the 12,450-square-foot elementary school expansion at the West Melbourne School for Science, which is now welcoming even more students to attend and take advantage of all the upgrades. The educational space includes a large science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) lab with a makerspace, robotics area, separate art and music classrooms, and collaboration and science demonstration rooms, offering greater student capacity. Situated between classrooms, these collaboration lab spaces also act as breakout rooms where students learn the practical applications of teamwork.
“As Brevard Public Schools continues to see higher demand for choice options, our task was to expand the West Melbourne School for Science to meet the needs of an expanded student body,” said Spiezle Principal Steven G. Siegel, AIA, LEED AP. “It is crucial to create classrooms and collaboration spaces that enhance education today and meet the demands of technology and multi-modal learning that will continue to evolve in the years to come.”
The expansion also offers outdoor learning areas with flexible seating options. Students are able to use the school’s outdoor garden, promoting a relationship with nature, as well as engage in interactive learning. A 980-square-foot cafeteria expansion and 8,400 square feet of covered canopy areas are also features of the expansion. Other exterior improvements included a playground, expanded parking capacity, and bus and drop-off features.
“It is incredible to see how design teams can create cutting-edge buildings that foster student-teacher autonomy and safety while enhancing the learning experience overall,” said Siegel. “The architectural and interior design elements were thoughtfully crafted to encourage collaboration, creativity, and independent learning.”
Designed in partnership with Tsark Architecture, the one-story building greatly expanded science and arts learning opportunities at the school, which serves children ranging from kindergarten through 6th grade. The addition strengthens the school’s core mission to merge scientific discovery with developing students for the practical challenges of the decades to come. Spiezle and Tsark worked with general contractor and construction management firm Wharton-Smith, Inc., on the expansion and renovation of the West Melbourne School for Science.
About Spiezle Architectural Group:
Spiezle Architectural Group is an Employee-Owned, award-winning, full-service architectural, engineering and planning firm. Founded in 1954, the company is known for innovative design, financially responsible solutions, and personalized service. Spiezle serves academic, senior living, acute healthcare, corporate/commercial, government, hospitality, landscape architecture, urban planning, multi-family, enhanced construction administration, recreational and religious clients. Spiezle is listed in the Top 100 Green Design Firms by Engineering News-Record and the Top 300 U.S. Architecture Firms by Architectural Record. Learn more at www.spiezle.com.
