FORT WORTH, TX — Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD (EMS ISD) recently welcomed students at the new Eagle Mountain High School (EMHS). It is the district’s fourth comprehensive high school and, when filled, has capacity for 2,400 students. Construction was made possible by the voter-approved bond proposal passed in 2017.
Rather than flatten the hilly terrain of the site, VLK Architects designed the EMHS campus to take advantage of its natural features. The architecture for the school itself applies prototype elements from the design of Chisholm Trail High School. The site features a once-dry pond and dry creek bed, both incorporated into the campus design. The pond now holds 37 million gallons of water, which is used to irrigate the campus landscaping. The dry creek bed remains, traversed by an enclosed bridge for safe access between the academic wing, dining areas, fine arts spaces, and athletics.
“Designing a new high school has a lot of unique challenges, chief among them is that a high school is more than just an educational facility; it is an institution, built for longevity," said Sloan Harris, VLK CEO | Partner. "Our team is cognizant that generations of students will walk its halls for many decades to come and so our design must strive to be both appropriate to today, and to the extent possible, future-proof for tomorrow.”
Classrooms at EMHS are built to accommodate a range of student interests from academics to fine arts to athletics to career and technical education classes. This includes spaces for specialized programs such as robotics, floral design, agriculture, and STEM labs. Onsite facilities for fine arts programs such as band, choir, art, dance, and theater provide areas for artistic education while athletic areas include a stadium, fieldhouse with an indoor practice facility, and weight room, as well as spaces dedicated to baseball, softball, gymnastics, cheer, soccer, and tennis. These specially designed areas allow EMHS students the same opportunities available across all EMS ISD high schools.
The campus is also designed with long-term efficiency in mind. In addition to using the on-campus pond for irrigation, the campus has a geothermal mechanical system, offering energy savings and lower maintenance costs over time.
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“The process and thoughtfulness Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD places into district facilities reflects their stewardship of the entire community,” said Lauren Brown, VLK Principal-in-Charge. “Eagle Mountain High School’s design supports the district’s instructional needs, commitment to energy efficient system design, and the implementation of cohesive, student-focused learning environments inside and outside. As EMHS develops their traditions and culture, the outcomes will be generational and will be for the greater good of the community that supported the vision and success of the young learners. Thank you, EMS ISD, for the opportunity to bring your vision of EMHS to light.”
