Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Located on a 20-acre site in Kenner, LA, STBA worked closely with Kenner Discovery to develop a campus master plan and strategies for phasing of construction for the Kenner Discovery Health Science Academy. Phase 1 of the masterplan includes a 3-story academic wing (grades 8-12), school administration, library and co-curricular area, and cafeteria. There are more than 50 classrooms, including learning spaces for special education, art, digital media, music and theater. With a focus on a health sciences curriculum, the school also features 9 science labs and a hospital simulation lab.

Specialty curriculum spaces provide flexibility and technology while circulation spaces are designed to support conversational learning spaces. The library and media center and the cafeteria open to a multi-use plaza creating a central hub of learning, collaboration and interaction. Design challenges included an accelerated construction schedule with CMAR delivery, budget constraints, and a precast concrete structure, imposing interior spatial limitations. By incorporating cost and time-saving strategies and optimizing the use of spaces, STBA was able to maintain the Client’s vision for a 21st century learning environment.