KAI Designs Modern Laboratory for Learning at New H.S. Thompson Elementary School in Dallas, Texas

Dallas, TX, Planned as a replacement school for the H.S. Thompson Learning Center, KAI designed the new H.S. Thompson Elementary School in South Dallas, Texas as a beacon for academic excellence.

“Our team sought to develop an environment for academic excellence by providing the students, staff and community with a 21^st Century learning environment with innovative learning spaces that inspire the students and surrounding community,” said Darren L. James, FAIA, President of KAI Enterprises. “We designed collaborative learning spaces distributed throughout the building allowing the entire facility to become an active learning laboratory.”

Built on the site of the previous school at 5700 Bexar St., the new $30 million school supports Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education and uses research-based instruction that challenges students through learning experiences aimed at preparing them for better outcomes and future success.

Opened to students in January 2022, the two-story, 73,000-square-foot school features:

• 23 core classrooms for Kindergarten through Grade 5
• Pre-K wing
• Seven science classrooms
• Two special education classrooms
• Classrooms for art, music and dance
• Library and media center
• Makerspace
• Exterior play areas
• Gymnasium
• Cafetorium, including stage storage, equipment room and multipurpose room

The initial phase of work on the project included master planning the site for a Pre-K through Grade 8 elementary school and future middle school expansion (Grades 6-8). KAI’s design team developed four site schemes for review by the Dallas Independent School District, which selected a smaller building footprint with more outdoor spaces.

The masterplan orients the primary facade of the school along Bexar Street, with the main entry into the facility located at the corner of Bexar and Bethurum. The main entry is secured requiring all visitors to access the facility through the administrative reception area.

The building was designed to serve as a beacon highlighting and broadcasting the familial pride and nurturing of the students by the community, its parents, and other adults from the Bonton area of Dallas. The library sits above the secure primary entry in a double height volume with views to downtown and Fair Park. This vista provides a glimpse to the future for the students.  The primary active spaces such as gymnasium and cafetorium with its raised stage and sound reducing moveable partitions, are placed in such a way that students and educators can use them by day while the community has access after school hours without having to enter the rest of the academic spaces.

About KAI Enterprises

KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. For more than 40 years, KAI has been instrumental in transforming communities through its expertise in residential, commercial, K-12, higher education, healthcare, science and technology, aviation, mobility, sports and entertainment, government, water and community-focused projects. KAI Enterprises is comprised of four distinct business units—KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build and KAI 360 Construction Services. To learn more about KAI, visit www.kai-db.com.