Becker Morgan Group was honored with a 2016 Brick in Architecture Bronze Award for the William F. Cooke, Jr. Elementary School in the Educational K-12 category from the Brick Industry Association (BIA). The Brick in Architecture Design Awards recognize “the country’s most visionary projects” that incorporate fired-clay brick. “These winners demonstrate the best of brick’s aesthetic flexibility, and as a material made from abundant natural resources, it’s a perfect strategy in sustainable design,” said Ray Leonhard, BIA’s president and CEO. “We’re honored to have a project recognized in one of the country’s most prestigious architectural award programs” said Brad A. Hastings, AIA, LEED AP of Becker Morgan Group.
The 600 student William F. Cooke, Jr. Elementary School is Red Clay Consolidated School District’s first new school in over 10 years. The design was developed through an intense collaboration with the District’s Design Committee composed of teachers, staff, and public participants. A design charrette was held with students whose ideas were taken to the committee for inclusion. The design intent for the new William F. Cooke, Jr. Elementary School was to create a welcoming and vibrant community school that would inspire students and community alike and create opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom. The use of brick in conjunction with metal panels provides an exterior aesthetic which is colorful, timeless, and sustainable. Brick also allowed the designers to carry exterior materials into the building’s interior spaces to draw the aesthetic together while providing a high performing material requiring minimal finishing and maintenance. The brick utilized provides a sophisticated, timeless feel while meeting all the aesthetic, maintenance, and sustainability requirements put forth by the owner.
Becker Morgan Group provides Architecture & Engineering services with offices in Delaware, Maryland, and North Carolina. For more information, visit www.beckermorgan.com.
