The Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy was the recipient of the Summit Award for Best School Design from The Association for Learning Environment’s Southern Region. This award marks Dr. Marian G. Lacey Academy as the top school design among projects in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. This honor has been featured alongside other nationally recognized projects in the spring publication of A4LE’s magazine Learning by Design.
The Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy was designed to serve both students and the broader community. Access to the primary public spaces including the gym, cafetorium, and media center can occur after school, while the classroom wings can be locked-off and secured after hours. The media center, the heart of the school, features a two-level volume supported by a central column, designed to resemble a tree, symbolizing growth and education.
One of the school’s standout features is its innovative use of color and texture. The main concourse showcases tree-shaped columns, cascading leaf-shaped acoustic panels, warm wooden accents, organic flooring patterns, and tiled backdrops that enliven the space. This biophilic design evokes nature through colors, materials, shapes, and textures, achieved through close collaboration between the structural, architectural, and interior design teams.
Color serves a dual purpose, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality. Hallways are marked by distinct colors for improved wayfinding, while the media center features multi-colored study houses for easy navigation. In the kindergarten wing—an ICC-500 FEMA-rated storm shelter—smaller windows are offset by a cheerful yellow palette, making the thick concrete walls feel warm and welcoming.
The awarding entity, A4LE, is a professional organization that aims to strengthen learning for all through better environments. This award adds to a growing list of honors for Dr. Marian G. Lacey K-8 Academy. Cromwell is proud to have been able to create an engaging building for students to learn in and is honored to be awarded such a distinguished honor.
