To accommodate the growing student body, Edmond Public Schools approached FSB to provide full A/E services for a new addition at Chisholm Elementary School. The new safe room addition will hold up to 1,000 people and includes six classrooms, restrooms and accessory spaces while also complimenting the school’s existing aesthetics.

In addition to providing increased safety for students, the classrooms and circulation area are designed to be flexible and accommodate a variety of ages, class sizes and functions. Even though the new addition doubles as one large safe room, the six individual classrooms have been designed to still receive daylight while meeting FEMA safety guidelines.

Because storage is always needed in the school environment, increased storage has been incorporated into the addition’s design, both inside and outside the individual classrooms. The circulation area has been designed with the versatility to double as informal learning spaces, offering reading nooks and collaboration areas. Plus, an outdoor learning area is planned between the existing building and addition to give teachers and students the opportunity to get out of the traditional classroom and explore a different learning environment.

This addition provides further learning space for its students to grow while also giving parents peace of mind during inclement weather.