French Associates

As part of a district-wide bond program, Central Park Elementary was designed to replace two nearby aging elementary schools under one roof. The site of a vacant existing high school facility was redeveloped to construct the new elementary school, while allowing a portion of the existing building to preserve the district’s Central Auditorium. The existing obsolete classroom wings of the high school were demolished but the original cafeteria and gymnasium spaces were incorporated into the footprint of the new building, becoming the media center and cafeteria areas respectively. The high school’s original art deco auditorium and surrounding support areas were also remodeled to preserve the use of the auditorium.

This $1.45 million project, with 11,600 sq ft of additional or renovated space, includes a school store, expanded cafeteria seating and new offices. In addition to a complete exterior window replacement and extensive interior renovations, the new 7,000 square foot Collaborative Center is the focal point of the high school.

Rochester’s newest high school is a 320,000 sf, three-story building designed for 1500 students. Constrained by the limitations of the site, the design incorporates three educational wings: Physical Education, Fine Arts, and Academic Studies.

Kettering High School was master planned as a part of a series of bond issues in Waterford School District. One of the first phases of that plan called for the construction of a new competition gymnasium and main entrance addition. The most recent phase was the addition of a new natatorium complex. The gymnasium addition features a walking corridor that fully surrounds the gymnasium. This space is utilized by the public as well.

Parker High School offers a flex scheduling option to its students. The architecture, allowing the facility to be in use from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm, was specifically designed to work with that system. It includes partnership spaces for use by the local community college, business partners and training programs. The design features two separate structures, an academic building and a fieldhouse unified by a circulation spine or “knowledge mall”…read more

Set within a 20-acre picturesque site on the edge of a wetland preserve, Eagle Creek Academy’s facility emphasizes the surrounding natural features. Natural light and geothermal heating cooling systems make this 250-student K-8 school an extension of it’s environment. Each classroom has a view of the wetland, access to an outdoor deck that runs along the back of the building, a storage zone, kitchenette, student workstations, document cameras and large plasma monitors…read more

In order to merge the Administrative Staff Services and Board of Education facilities from multiple sites, we expanded the existing 9,100 sq ft administrative office building. Additions include more offices, conference rooms and a Board of Education meeting room, which doubles as a space for large gatherings, school activities and community meetings. There was also a need for a new Early Childhood Center to house the Kindergarten Kids Connection, Funshine Preschool, extended preschool care and preschool enrichment programs…read more

In 2007, Grosse Ile Township Schools began construction at Grosse Ile High School. The original building, constructed in the 1950’s, had inadequate space for the cafeteria and media center. Designed with curved exterior walls featuring large spans of glass, the new cafeteria and media center are filled with natural light, a sharp contrast to the old, dimly lit interior. The new exterior’s undulating curves mimic the shorelines of Grosse Ile…read more

Dakota High School, named one of the nation’s top high schools in 200 received a $3.2 million football/soccer stadium with grandstands, a press box and a practice field. The synthetic turf field and running track are surrounding by 3,500 seats. Stadium events are supported by a 7,500 square foot structure located under the grandstands. There are team locker rooms, a concession stand, ticket booth, restrooms and storage areas.

This new athletic complex added a fresh dimension to the District’s physical education curriculum. The facility includes a fitness weight room, new locker rooms, wet classroom, and other support spaces conveniently located off the new physical education corridor. The pool, gymnasium and weight room are accessible from the new corridor stemming out of the main core of the building. The existing pool will be in-filled and converted into an auxiliary gymnasium, also accessible from the Physical Education corridor.

As part of a near $75 million bond, French Associates was chosen to upgrade the district’s six schools, which include three elementary schools, one middle school, an alternative community school, and the high school. The high school’s aging infrastructure received improvements to bring it in line with current building and energy standards. The most notable piece of this project is the Center for the Arts, boasting a seating capacity of 650, a 32-line professional rigging system, mobile orchestra shell, 120 stage lighting fixtures and a backstage area with live-feed capability…read more

Harbor Beach voters approved a $12.04 million bond issue, making the proposed conversion of the existing high school/middle school into a PreK-12 facility a reality. The addition of 60,000 square feet and renovation of an additional 87,000 square feet of adequate space brought the building’s new available space to a functional size, capable of housing the overall population increase.

The conversion and relocation of Woodside High School resulted in the newly named Rolland-Warner Middle School. Simultaneously, renovations were taking place at Cramton High School, the new site for students that once attended Woodside High School.

The centerpiece of Marysville Public Schools’ $74 million bond proposal is this new high school, set on the existing high school/middle school campus. French Associates worked closely with the district to develop a program and phasing schedule to incorporate the new high school onto their existing site. The construction plan allowed the high school to remain in service until completion of the new facility. Simultaneous remodeling and additions also occurred at the middle school, located on the same site.