Neill Elementary School – Fort Bend Independent School District

Neill Elementary is a school with a renewed focus on sustainability and NextGeneration learning. The 128,800 S.F. school is programmed for 1,000 students and features administrative offices and workspaces, a media center, three two-story classroom wings, gymnasium, cafetorium, kitchen and ancillary services. To facilitate students learning about sustainable design through hands-on outdoor learning, demonstration tools and building features include rainwater cisterns, outdoor planters, learning play structures, and educational kiosks to illustrate elements of the building’s performance and sustainable design to occupants. Inside, the Library Media Center is centered in the heart of the campus and features collaborative working spaces and a Makerspace for hands-on creativity. Each grade level branches off this centralized collaboration area into its own wing with added circulation space.

Neill Elementary School was a part of an approved Fort Bend ISD bond program. The design process for this 21st Century high performance school began with a three-day design charrette—an inclusive, engaging process in which stakeholders can review the site and program information, share valuable insights and opinions, and guide key decisions. The charrette resulted in setting a goal of creating a 21st Century high performance elementary school designed to exceed the expectations of a traditional environment.

Features of this environment include:

• Flexible, Adaptable, Technology-Rich Facilities
• Sustainable, High Performance Environments for Learning (LEED Certified)
• Enhanced Safety & Security
• Community Focused Designs

Project Specifics: