Walton High School

This two story, 204,500 gross square foot high school facility, is compactly located on approximately 7.8 acres adjacent to the previous high school building. Master Planning the school on the adjacent property allowed the School Board to make use of existing track, football and baseball fields, thus saving monies by not duplicating sport facilities at a new site elsewhere. Amenities such as separate Bus and Parent Drop-off’s, parking for 113 faculty-staff and 180 student spaces, along with a half acre storm water retention area, 4 lighted tennis courts and outdoor court areas are included. The majority of the building was designed as a hurricane shelter at the owner’s request.

The building features references to architectural elements remembered from local history like arched openings, window proportions, brick patterns and cast stone accent pieces. Academic spaces were organized around a two-story “interior street”, dubbed “Braves Way” in honor of the schools’ indian brave symbol intended to become a cultural and social hub for the community, while hosting sports and cultural events.

The facility houses a well-balanced and organized variety of teaching spaces. The 750 seat auditorium is equipped with a flystage and orchestra pit, which was professionally designed for acoustical and technical excellence. Adjacent band, practice and vocal rooms offer a complete theatre setting. Physical Education facilities include a weight room and 1,200 seat gymnasium. Other specialized teaching areas include technology resource and business education classrooms; art, clay and skills developments labs; ESE and ROTC classrooms.

The second floor south wing consists entirely of specialized science related spaces including demonstration labs for chemistry, biology and physics. Labs have been furnished complete with fume hoods, eyewash stations, state of the art demonstration tables and safety cabinets.

The Project was constructed with less than 1% in change orders, not including $650,711 savings in deductive sales tax credits.