Chatham County Schools | Chatham County, North Carolina
The new 105,000 sqft Chatham Grove Elementary School is located on the corner of Andrews Store Road and Parker Herndon Road putting it south of Margaret B. Pollard Middle School and west of the Park at Briar Chapel.
Easy access to the adjacent neighborhood, school, and park will create a strong tie between the new school and the existing community. The floor plan of the building was shaped by a carefully considered building program process and is designed to accommodate 750 students. The curving interior student avenue positions large group spaces on one side and classrooms on the other. Clerestory windows direct natural light into the lively colorful meandering avenue below highlighting key areas such as the main entrance, media center, and dining area. At the southern terminus of the student avenue is the gymnasium which is a multifunctional space with a stage that will be used for classes, concerts, and presentations. In addition to serving the school, the gymnasium will also serve as part of a community recreation center in a collaboration between County Parks and Recreation and Chatham County Schools. This collaboration further enriches the school and connects it to the community. The school is also designed to serve as an emergency shelter. Geothermal wells extensive daylighting, use of locally sourced materials and strict protection of existing wetlands are examples of the sustainable design strategies used in the school.
