Norman-Sims Elementary

Austin, Texas

Award of Merit

OWNER: Austin Independent School District

LEAD DESIGN FIRM: Kirksey Architecture

GENERAL CONTRACTOR: Joeris General Contractors Ltd.


Combining three older school buildings into a single, modern learning space was the goal of the $19.6-million Norman-Sims Elementary project in Austin. 

Laser scanning and heat mapping were integral to troubleshooting the challenges of connecting the original 1969 school building with campus additions from 1988 and 2008 and a newly constructed two-story segment. The result was a 75,000-sq-ft, 10-acre campus for science, technology, engineering art and math.

During demolition, the project team contributed a significant amount of brick and other materials to the city of Austin’s recycling program. The project ultimately attained LEED Silver certification.