KG+D is proud to announce that the Middletown High School Learning Commons + Café Renovation project was honored with the American Institute of Architects New York State Chapter (AIANYS) Excelsior Award of Distinction in Public Architecture. The AIANYS Excelsior Awards highlights the best in publicly funded buildings, outdoor areas, and public art across New York State and the professionals who support and advocate for them.
The Middletown High School Learning Commons and Café project developed an addition to house a Next-Gen Media Center and renovated a former library into a centralized food service café and informal learning center.
The Media Center supports changes in the instructional curriculum and creates a community space. The lower level of the Media Center addition features a fully equipped professional level video production studio with a classroom-sized control room for video production design classes. Exteriorly, the addition features a green roof and the curvilinear design of wraps around the drop off loop. The Café, which was fitted into the former library spaces, supports the after-school meal program provided to students working in the Innovation Labs.
Overall, the project leveraged the district’s opportunity to create the infrastructure required for interdisciplinary learning communities and a school-wide neighborhood learning environment. Congratulations to the Enlarged City School District of Middletown and the Middletown community!