In the face of rapid population growth and overcrowded classrooms, Trickum Middle School found itself at a pivotal crossroads—one demanding more than a standard expansion. With the school at full capacity and students relegated to temporary mobile units, Gwinnett County Public Schools partnered with CPL to craft a future-focused solution.
Client
Gwinnett County Public Schools
Location
Lilburn, GA
Total Project Cost
$11.34 M
Project Type
Classrooms & STEAM Learning
Completed
2024
Size
48,600 sq. ft.
Services
Architecture, Civil/Site Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering
Key Contact
Timothy Pulver
Our K-12 practice team designed a 48,600 sq. ft., three-story classroom addition that not only alleviated capacity constraints but redefined what a dynamic, student-centered learning environment could achieve. The expansion introduced 18 new classrooms, four science labs, a chemistry lab, a business education classroom, a computer lab, a JLC (ROTC) classroom, and a specialized MIDI lab equipped with musical keyboards for music programming. Three multi-purpose classrooms also offer adaptable environments designed to evolve alongside future curricula.
Notably, the chemistry lab features a modern hybrid layout, enabling students to transition between instruction and hands-on experimentation—setting a new benchmark for STEM education.
Strategic design decisions extend beyond aesthetics to support long-term operational flexibility: raceways integrated into the business classroom floor enable adaptable technology infrastructure, while movable furniture empowers educators to modify classroom layouts to suit evolving teaching methodologies.
Architecturally, the exterior brick masonry maintains aesthetic continuity with the existing campus, promoting a unified, cohesive appearance.
Delivering this addition while school remained in session required precision planning and collaboration between design and construction teams. Phased construction strategies ensured student safety and minimized disruption, carefully positioning the addition to isolate active work zones from daily school operations. Despite encountering complex structural conditions, the project was successfully completed without value engineering—preserving the integrity of the original design vision.
The impact of this work extends beyond the building itself. By eliminating the need for mobile units, the newly freed site was repurposed into an outdoor playground, further enriching the student experience and supporting a holistic approach to learning.
Trickum Middle School’s expansion represents more than additional square footage—it reflects a forward-thinking investment in adaptable, high-performance learning environments that will empower students and educators for generations to come.
