in lovely spaces ‹‹ live
Z MM Architects & Engineers is a Charleston firm that specializes in everything from hospitals to military installations, but where it perhaps shines most is in its schools. The company proves that a school is much more than walls and a roof, both in design and spirit. A well-designed school isn’t made up of just a roof and four walls. It should be intuitive to students' goals. It should inspire peace, creativity, and joyful curiosity more than homework anxiety or stress. In the best cases, it should even be one of its students’ favorite places to be. West Virginia’s own ZMM Architects & Engineers has proven this goal is possible time and time again with its breathtaking school designs cultivated specifically for each community’s needs. Staples of their designs include high ceilings, bright primary colors, and crisp, clean details. Sophistication seamlessly merges with childlike wonder, with the latter taking priority. But even with those hallmarks, no two projects are alike. Like the students they serve, each building has its own personality. Take New River Primary / Oak Hill Middle School in Green Valley, which houses overflow students from two other overcrowded schools. One look at this school shows that, if students felt crammed into a space before, that certainly won’t be the case here. High, exposed-beam
New River Primary and Oak Hill Middle School are connected by a mechanical wing, but each have its
own unique design theme. Common spaces like the cafeteria and library have exposed high ceilings and
bright colors to establish creative spaces for students. The school is also energy- efficient.
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