Immokalee Technical Center

Immokalee, FloridaProject of Distinction

Vocational SchoolSchenkelShultz Architecture

2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Immokalee Technical Center

Immokalee Technical CenterSite DiagramThe Immokalee Technical Center is the “heart” of the community. This new center includes an unique educational approach of site-based businesses that are open to the public where parents can see their children not only go to school, but learn a career at the same time.

Ideally located within walking distance to the residential neighborhood, community park and their high school, the technical center programs allows the adjacent high school student to have full or part-time career options at this new school, all built on only 6.5 acres. This center is also the home for all continuing adult educational classes for the Immokalee community.

The Community HeartCommunity Environment: Imagine a place where actual learning occurs hands on, where the local community needs are served and where students want to be in school.

The new technical center encompasses the above characteristics with an emphasis on site-based businesses that are open to the public. The building is designed with a storefront concept. These storefronts are located along the perimeter of the facility, and include a bakery and cyber café, a bank, practicing medical clinic, auto service center, child care center, and cosmetology center. The constituents assist in offering the students a chance to learn and interact with patrons at a professional level.

cafe

salon

child care

Fostering Community Growth Community Environment:

The city of Immokalee is a farming-based community with a low percentage of high school graduates. To encourage increased educational and business opportunities, the School District made a decision to build a 21st Century Technical School in Immokalee. The goal is to inspire students to complete their education and to provide recruiting opportunities for area businesses. The careers that the students are exposed to include:• Health Services• Business / Technology• Human Services• Construction Trades• Community Services

Culinary arts lab

Automotive technology lab

Nursing lab

Child care lab

Educational OrganizationLearning Environment: Transparency and multi-purpose spaces are the overall goals in creating a technical facility for students from the ages of 14 to 64. The learning environment is organized vertically into educational zones, around an open courtyard .

Diverse learning styles from project based learning to contemplative learning are the hallmark of this design. The blue areas indicate “human services” career zone which includes a bank, bakery/cyber café, child care, automotive and salon. The green areas include both “community educational programs”, such as ESOL and “technology/health services programs including nursing and business technology.

Sense of PlaceLearning Environment: Safety is important in creating a technical center that combines high school students as young as 14 years old with adults pursing a continuing education. Transparency is a key factor in creating a safe learning environment. All circulation occurs around the central courtyard. Furthermore the courtyard becomes an outdoor learning space before and during class time; it becomes the sense of place for the diverse user group. Color was also a design element and the use of maze and terra cotta colors add interest and scale.

The building was planned with a 30’ educational module with all interior walls being none load bearing. This allows for future adaptability.

The Future of Immokalee Physical Environment

21st Century Civic pride was what the community members requested in the design of their technical center. Soaring canopies show the primary entries to the storefront and administrative corners of the building; while a translucent channel glass stair tower creates an iconic beacon of knowledge and provides the community with an identifiable campus landmark.

Color was very important to the community due to the Spanish heritage of the Immokalee area. Maze, terra cotta and seashell white are used to reflect this history.

Florida ModernPhysical Environment The design of the school integrates the concepts of sustainability by including energy efficient building systems , which minimize the school’s environmental impact. In addition, sustainable materials such as stained concrete flooring, low-VOC finishes, energy efficient T8 light fixtures, xero-scape landscaping, low-E glazing, highly reflective roof membrane were incorporated into the design.

Creating the Immokalee Technical Center to become the heart of the community has become reality. With the project based learning philosophy combined with site base spaces open to the public, truly this facility is a successful model for years to come.

Collaborative ProcessPlanning Process: A highly collaborative planning process was part of the success of the Immokalee Technical Center. This process involved district facility planners, educators, county planners, construction managers and the community. There was a series of public meetings and district sessions to develop this design and test solutions.

As the project progressed from design, there were a series of focused detailed sessions regarding building systems, technology systems and final material selections to further reinforce the 21st Century Technical Center concept.

The total timeline was 3 months design/ planning, 4 months construction documents, 2 months permitting and 12 months construction.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Data

Submitting Firm : SchenkelShultz ArchitectureProject Role ArchitectProject Contact Ronald E. Reitz, AIA, LEED® APTitle Associate / Project ArchitectAddress 1591 Hayley Lane, Suite 201City, State or Province, Country Fort Myers, Florida Phone (239) 481-0200

Joint Partner Firm: N/AProject RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Other Firm: N/AProject RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Construction Firm: Kraft Construction CompanyProject Role Construction ManagerProject Contact Peter HaydenTitle Project ManagerAddress 3520 Kraft RoadCity, State or Province, Country Naples, Florida 34105Phone

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Details

Project Name  Immokalee Technical Center

City Immokalee

State Florida

District Name District School Board of Collier County

Supt/President   Dr. Dennis L. Thompson

Occupancy Date   January 2009

Grades Housed   9 – 12 and adult students

 

Capacity(Students)   600 Student Stations

Site Size (acres)   6.5 Acres including retention

Gross Area (sq. ft.)   92,000 Square Feet

Per Occupant(pupil)   153 SF (gross)

gross/net please indicate  

 

Design and Build?   No

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development:   $ 2,196,389.00

Building Construction:   $ 23,292,080.00

Fixed Equipment:   $ 1,076,390.00

Other:  

 

Total:   $ 26, 564,859.00

Immokalee Technical Center ModelView from the Street

Immokalee Technical Center ModelIconic Staircase and Entry