The Hockaday School – Science Building Renovation and Expansion

The renovation and expansion of The Hockaday School’s science building mark a significant enhancement to the school’s educational facilities. This project includes a complete overhaul of the existing two-story structure, the addition of a third floor dedicated to teaching spaces, and the creation of the Lyda Hill STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Institute. Middle and upper school science labs are reorganized by discipline, with chemistry on the first floor, physics on the second, and biology on the third, which takes advantage of a new green roof teaching space. A three-story atrium with a Foucault pendulum provides visual and physical communication between floors, fostering interdisciplinary connections between science and the adjacent Fine Arts facility.

The design addresses the need for modern, discipline-specific teaching environments that enhance STEM education. By reorganizing and expanding the science labs, the project creates an efficient and focused learning atmosphere. The green roof teaching space and the atrium with a Foucault pendulum encourage interactive and interdisciplinary learning, linking scientific concepts with real-world applications. This renovation not only updates the existing facilities but also integrates them with the broader academic environment, promoting a cohesive and dynamic educational experience.