Bryan Adams High School
Dallas ISD’s driving mission behind a cohesive redesign of the historic Bryan Adams High School (est. 1957) aims squarely at injecting a forward-looking, reinvigorating spark that encourages a sense of belonging, and community engagement. The design provides distinct opportunities for students to thrive through public education with universal access to tech-integrated labs, performance spaces, and redesigned fully accessible sports facilities.
We’re in community: A new entry plaza provides proud, focused street visibility for an established school with solid roots growing and transforming with its local population. The campus redesign tips its hat to the school’s original mid-century structure while tying together an expansive, formerly disjointed footprint into a cohesive configuration, reinforcing a sense of discovery and inclusion for 2,200 students. A two-story administration and classroom addition connects existing wide-spread classroom wings and establishes a secured entry vestibule to create a double courtyard and a distinct sun-drenched modern “front door.”
Thriving through expanded access: A circulation path connecting existing classroom wings open up space for SPED classrooms, nooks for small groups, and makerspaces supporting STEM and vocational learning. Specific attention to acoustics throughout the building allows an environment conducive to concentration and comfort for diverse dispositions and learning styles. Warmth and daylight flood in through windows that provide clear sight lines and expanded views of old-growth oaks and rolling fields. Clearly marked wayfinding signs incorporate opportunities to share school spirit and history, while safely guiding students and visitors throughout the campus.
and the arts and sports too: The Fine Arts and Athletics additions house boisterous performance and studied precision. A new state-of-the-art Black Box theater and redesigned auditorium showcase music, dance, and theater programs through finely tuned attention to acoustics while backstage crews work in costume and scene shops.
Boosting well-being—physical, social, emotional—through Bryan Adams’ athletics program calls for sports facilities featuring updated weight room, mat room, training and locker rooms, and offices for coaching staff. The athletics addition is crowned with a competition gymnasium that both supports pride and safety as it doubles as a storm shelter capable of accommodating the entire student body and all campus staff.
