MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
Snowden Junior High School was built in 1909 and occupied a single
building located at the corner of North Parkway and McLean. Its
classical facade featured an ornate entry and three stories of brick and
limestone. The building was expanded in 1924, 1939, and 1979,
extending to the east along Parkway.
The most recent addition, added in 1991, includes class rooms, science labs, a new cafeteria and kitchen, a computer lab, music rooms and new parking areas with bus shelters. The building was upgraded for code and the entire facility was air conditioned.
The three-story classroom block attached to the back of the school, created an outdoor courtyard, paved for use in inclement weather and included an outdoor stage for performances and a bell tower which has become an architectural icon for the school. The courtyard, with its cylindrical stair tower forms the core of the renovated school and offers an outdoor common area used by all students. The new cafeteria has high ceiling space with clerestory windows, glass enclosed dining with views of the playing fields, surrounded by curving brick walls which screen the glass from the sun.
This project received an American Institute of Architect Award of Excellence for its design.