This state-of-the-art building is designed to remake the junior high school experience. The design organizes the school into specific grade-level classrooms connected by hallways and academic learning suites where students can collaborate. The spaces provide flexible, open environments for group work and project-based learning. These areas also incorporate daylight, LED technology and solar sensors.

The school’s common area includes a 5,184-sq-ft concrete slab with just one saw-cut joint. The 118-ft by 87-ft slab was achieved with a single pour. The exposed concrete—called MagicSlab—was polished, giving it a durability similar to terrazzo at a cost comparable to carpet. Maintenance costs of the floor will be a fraction of that for traditional floor coverings. The decision to use MagicSlab in the common area led to the design of the “learning stair”—a wooden staircase made of concrete and steel that extends into the polished concrete. The stairs also serve as seating for presentations and classroom collaboration. The tiers include outlets for electronic devices, while built-in seating keeps students off the concrete stairs and reduces tripping.

Davis School District partnered with the city of Layton to create an expanded gymnasium with twice as much space to serve both students and the community. MagicSlab also was placed in the gym. Though covered with wooden flooring, the 220-ft by 110-ft gym floor has only one saw cut. The gym also includes an elevated concrete running track. The school’s mechanical system utilizes two-stage evaporative cooling in place of air conditioning and delivers fresh air through displacement ventilation to save energy and provide a healthier learning space. The project was completed on time and 5% under the original estimate.

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