Namesake of Billy Earl Dade Middle School Celebrated During School Dedication

DALLAS - Nov. 15, 2013 - PRLog -- Dallas, TX (www.KAITexas.com) – The new Billy Earl Dade Middle School, part of the Dallas Independent School District, celebrated the official opening of the school with a dedication ceremony held on November 8, 2013.

         The dedication service included remarks by Principal Dr. Alecia Beck-Cobb; Bernadette Nutall, School Board Trustee – District 9; Mike Miles, Superintendent, Dallas ISD; Eric Johnson, Texas House of Representatives – District 100; and Mike Rawlings, Mayor, City of Dallas. Student-led tours of the facility immediately followed, and guests gathered for a reception in the library and media center overlooking historic Fair Park.

         Darren L. James, AIA, President and COO of KAI Texas, along with Derwin Broughton, AIA, Project Architect for KAI Texas and Project Manager for the development of the new campus, presented a custom photo collage of the new school to Dr. Barbara Dade Martin and Ms. Bille Sandford, who are the daughters of the late Dr. Billy Earl Dade. The sisters shared with students their father’s constant encouragement to, “Be present, practice, and participate.”

         “A new school filled with students and educators who are energized and excited about learning reminds me that this is why I wanted to be an architect,” said Broughton. “It’s just a building until it comes alive with the students who are present in the classrooms, taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them.”

         The project was funded by the district’s 2008 Bond Program in an effort to create sustainable, modern facilities that meet standards developed by the Texas Collaborative for High Performance Schools (TX-CHPS). Dallas ISD’s high performance schools initiative called for the construction of 14 new schools and several major additions to other schools.

         Located at 2727 Grand Ave., the project was headed jointly by KAI Texas and Kell Muñoz Architects, Inc., and features sustainable building design innovations that support energy efficiency and minimize operation costs.

         The three-story replacement school, strategically designed to reduce the facility’s carbon footprint, was created to support 21^st century learning by integrating eco-friendly building solutions and modern technologies. The 213,000 sq. ft. structure, which opened for the 2013-2014 school year, features a 457-seat state-of-the-art auditorium and a two-story library that is equipped with hi-tech capabilities. Upgraded athletic centers, angled classrooms intended to improve academic interactions and traffic flow, and a new parking lot that includes a special circulation pattern for improved parent drop-offs are a few of the amenities from which students, parents, and staff will benefit. In addition, school officials have teamed up with Parkland Hospital to use the space to provide health services to the surrounding community.

         “The Billy Earl Dade Middle School project employs a number of sustainable elements that will serve the facility, staff, and students well for years to come,” said Broughton. “For instance, a geothermal system coupled with a building controls management system will allow the district to manage, schedule, and run the HVAC equipment in a responsible fashion. Such enhancements will promote good stewardship of natural resources and tax dollars supporting the procurement and operation of this new facility.”

         Other campus amenities include an irrigation system that is centrally controlled and operated and spaces that are equipped with operable windows that harvest natural light, adds Broughton. Interior finishes containing minimal volatile organic compounds provide added health benefits.

         A two-story entry atrium and a dining facility overlooking living foliage offer picturesque elements to the education space. The school’s exterior is comprised of multi-colored glass patterns that imitate African American quilt designs. The unique facade not only adds character to the building but also emulates the community’s focus on togetherness and pride, as two neighboring middle school populations will now be housed under one roof.

         “Quilts are a form of artistic and cultural expression that tell a story,” said Broughton.  “Their symbolic assembly from individual pieces of cultural information is highly representative of the merger of two rival schools – Billy Earl Dade and Pearl C. Anderson. The unique cultures of these schools and communities will be intertwined while new customs and traditions are forged.”

         The new 6^th through 8^th grade facility reflects the cultural heritage of the surrounding community. Project officials organized community meetings to gather input that would be integrated into the building’s design, such as textures, colors, and materials that celebrate the South Dallas community near Fair Park.

         “We wanted to create something that was iconic for the neighborhood, create a building that reflected the heritage and pride in the community,” said James. “The new campus will serve as a place where citizens can focus on building relationships that will help shape tomorrow’s civic leaders.”

         As Project Manager, Broughton shares that collaborative efforts between the design team and other project contributors proved to be an invaluable tool.

         “It is extremely critical that all stakeholders are considered throughout the design and construction process. These facilities must address the long-term needs of both the client and the surrounding neighborhood,” said Broughton. “As architects, we hold the responsibility of listening closely our stakeholders’ desires to meet all of their needs while also promoting and improving the built environment.”

About KAI Texas

KAI Texas, LC (www.KAITexas.com) is a Texas Corporation headquartered in Dallas with an additional office in San Antonio. Founded in 1999 and led by President and COO Darren L. James, AIA, KAI Texas provides program management, construction management, architecture, and mechanical/ electrical/ plumbing (MEP) engineering and planning services.