Crandall ISD’s Opal Smith Elementary Earns 2024 Educational Interiors Showcase Award

Located less than 30 minutes outside of Dallas, this state-of-the-art facility opened in 2023 and successfully captures the future of the community in design and scope with overarching themes of flow and adaptability. Whether it be in the movement found on the exterior symmetry or the layout of multi-use spaces within the building, the entire site is connected through color, form, and function.

Project Features

• The building is designed with a focus on maximizing natural daylighting in classrooms, corridors and common areas, enhancing both the learning environment and energy efficiency.  

• Each floor features wings labeled A, B, and C for flexibility with color-coded corridors, to facilitate easy navigation. The design team was inspired by the middle school and integrated greens, blues, and greys with the school's signature yellow.

• A continuous ribbon window captures natural light in classrooms and collaborative areas, while high-placed windows, coupled with deep overhangs, minimize glare and the need for shades. This not only promotes safety and instruction by providing ample wall space for marker boards but also reduces the reliance on artificial lighting.

• The layout features various collaborative areas available both within and outside classrooms, including built-in wall seating nooks under stairways.

• Non-traditional learning environments are created with mobile seating, desks, chairs, and advanced technology, including 85-inch screens in all classrooms, supporting versatile and dynamic educational experiences.