St. Stephen's Episcopal Day School

The studio project, sponsored by and in collaboration with Robert A. M. Stern Architects, was a new design for the campus for St. Stephens Episcopal Day School in Coconut Grove, FL.  The kindergarten through fifth grade school, comprised of 200 students, is nestled between downtown, Peacock Park, and Biscayne Bay.  Surrounded by a healthy community and lush environment, the school well positions their students for success.

A modern episcopal school needs a modern program, more than just a church and schoolhouse.  The updated program called for a new church, retail space, theater, library, science wing, cafeteria and classrooms.  With those core requirements, the project was then designed around three key objectives.  ​The new campus develops two strong, central axes, maintains a clear transition from the public to the private realm, and creates a hierarchy of courtyards for a seamless and interactive campus experience.

With each team member designated a portion of the program, I took on the challenge of creating the new classroom and science building.  It was critical to take advantage of the various views of the surrounding community, park, and bay.  Thus, the design evolved into the creation of a multipurpose tower to serve as a campanile, science wing, observatory, and anchor for the entire campus.  

The classical character of the building keeps with the traditional styles of South Florida, Coconut Grove, and the school itself.  Standard classrooms and administrative offices run along the extension wing.  Students have access to science laboratories, presentation rooms, a spiral clock stair, and rooftop garden within the tower volume.  However, the most exciting element is an observation deck with a view over Peacock Park and Biscayne Bay.   A different student can eagerly ring in the start of every school day from the top of the bell tower.

This project was ultimately selected, as the sole representative for the University of Miami, School of Architecture that year, to be published in the long running magazine, Classicist.  Turn to the Academic Portfolio section of issue no. 14, the New York City edition.

​​Fall 2016  |  Prof. Frank Martinez  |  3 Partners