Kirksey Architecture is honored to share that Norman-Sims Elementary School is the first-ever project to receive both CIDIE Design and CIDIE Experience Certifications.
Community-Informed Design for Innovative Environments (CIDIE) is a new building certification program that translates community insight and needs into innovative design solutions.The unique project was a thoughtful consolidation and modernization of two schools in East Austin, Texas. Normal Elementary and Sims Elementary were combined under one state-of-the-art roof capable of serving 500 students. Serving mostly minority and economically disadvantaged kids, the campus redesign required solutions to address acute community needs without sacrificing educational assets.
Kirksey worked with Austin ISD to form a Campus Advisory Team (CAT), comprised of staff, faculty, families, and students. Across multiple engagement sessions led by Kirksey, the CAT provided input on design concepts and strategies for a safer, more meaningful learning environment.
Kirksey’s approach highlighted three key areas critical to CIDE Certification
• AUTONOMY was achieved with dispersed dining and collaboration areas.
• BELONGING was achieved by displaying student-designed art installations.
• VISIBILITY was achieved with a vibrant entrance extending into the community
Six months after delivery, Kirksey returned to Norman-Sims to evaluate the firm’s performance with a post-occupancy survey for students focused on the user experience. Results showed 86% of students like the new school “a whole lot”.
Kirksey’s work at Norman-Sims is proof that design solutions can do more than improve aesthetics and functionality. By meeting with stakeholders of all ages and educational levels, Kirksey was able to build a better school, pioneering a new type of building certification that puts the community at the forefront.
Read the case study here.