St. Mary’s School Carrico Center
2020 Southern Oregon People’s Choice Awards, Public/Institution Category
This new two-story building houses a cafeteria and lounge on the first level with nine Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) classrooms for chemistry, biology, robotics and multipurpose labs. Located in the center of the St Mary’s campus, it connects to the existing upper classroom building and new entry courtyard with expansive views of the athletic fields and entry courtyard.
The exterior building cladding is painted structural steel and a painted fiber cement panel rainscreen system with corrugated steel fascia panels above. This is completed with a stepped aluminum composite panel cornice. Large window openings and skylights provide daylighting for interior spaces and visual connectivity between students inside and outside the building. A glass corner of the building faces onto the courtyard, highlighting a two-story space and main circulation stair inside.
Lounge and break out areas are located throughout the building on the first and second floors to encourage socializing, studying, relaxing and teaching in an informal setting. An outdoor terrace on the west side of the building allows for outdoor dining and watching football games and practices.
The main cafeteria on the ground floor includes a large dining space with a commercial kitchen, offering three types of cuisine to students and faculty. The interior architecture exposes the structural steel and building systems to provide students with a better understanding what’s typically hidden from view.
The Carrico Center was designed as the “heart” of the St. Mary’s School campus, building on an existing foundation of academic excellence, creative thinking and community.
Client: St. Mary’s School