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HuntonBrady Modernizes Killarney Elementary School

Orlando — It was time for a facelift at Orange County Public School’s Killarney Elementary School. The 59-year-old school selected HuntonBrady Architects, an Orlando-based architecture and interior design firm, to help modernize the urban school and update its classroom technology. “The school was proud of the stimulating learning environment it has always provided for children from pre-K through 5th grade,” said HuntonBrady Design Principal Maurizio Maso, AIA. “It has an exceptional student educational center, serving special needs “ESE” students, integrated into the student body. Our challenge was how to make Killarney an A-School from the inside-out.”

The project encompassed 32,000 square feet of renovated space and 20,000 square feet of new space. Bright colors and playful facades create a new image for Killarney, connecting campus buildings. The architects consolidated program elements into larger connected structures that house new administrative, food service and classroom wings all under one roof.

HuntonBrady strived to make renovations and additions much more efficient than the preexisting structures. Susan Pendergraft, AIA, the project architect and a LEED AP (accredited professional) with the firm, explained, “We designed Killarney using a variety of low-cost, common sense sustainable features, such as reducing the heat island effect through a light colored roof, utilizing carpet and aluminum canopies made with recycled content, using regionally manufactured materials like concrete tilt walls, maximizing daylighting in classrooms, and specifying occupancy sensors to automatically shut off lights in classrooms.”

New features include courtyards, mix of indoor and outdoor spaces for students, outdoor dining/classroom, butterfly garden and playgrounds. Each classroom was upgraded to include 4 computer workstations plus a teacher’s computer workstation. Classroom technology includes projector and screen, document camera and audio enhancement. A computer lab was included in the Media Center. Further upgrades included the replacement of instructional TV, voice data wiring distribution, fire alarm, and intercom and security systems.

Wharton-Smith, Inc. Construction Group was the project contractor.

Established in 1947 in Orlando, HuntonBrady Architects is an award-winning architecture and interior design firm that provides design services to both public and private clients. Their practice areas include healthcare, education, commercial, municipal and religious projects.