Future-Forward Design and Learning: How a North Texas School is Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovators
By Terry Hoyle, AIA
When a state-of-the-art event venue became available near an existing district facility in North Texas, Burleson Independent School District leaders seized the opportunity and approached Pfluger Architects with a bold question: Could the venue and attached commercial space be transformed into a non-traditional campus?
And not just any campus. Burleson ISD envisioned a campus to support a high-tech program that would challenge conventional educational models for students, teachers and the academic establishment.
The answer was yes, with an asterisk.
The new kind of school would be different from anything else in the district, not only by function but by design. It would break the mold of the industrial-age model of sit-and-get. Was the district — and more importantly, the administration and teachers — up for something not seen in modern education since the days of Little House on the Prairie?
After very little debate, the Game Development and Design School (GDDS) was born. The high-tech, future-forward school prepares students for careers that may not yet exist, while redefining the educational learning experience.
A “Classroom-less” Design and Curriculum
The school’s modern, tech-forward and flexible design supports unique programming for students not motivated by traditional pedagogies. This “classroom-free” facility provides the perfect environment for blended and self-paced instruction, with a curriculum that combines general education with coding and game programming electives, inspiring over 400 learners in grades 6-12.
The $6 million adaptive reuse project’s open-design concept is a testament to innovative thinking and adaptability. The GDDS features three coding labs, a café, a makerspace and multiple breakout rooms. Instead of traditional classrooms, Pfluger Architects designed learning zones that turn the entire school into a giant collaboration space. Glass, steel and ambient lighting give the environment a high-tech feel. At the same time, moveable furnishings and adaptable breakout spaces accommodate individual, small and large-group learning.
Teacher workspaces are portable and can move throughout the central core, allowing faculty to see and be seen, fostering an inherently collaborative atmosphere.
RGB lighting adds energy and fluidity to the space. At the same time, the muted color palette of black, white, shades of gray and a hint of blue serves as a perfect backdrop for custom e-sport-style battle gaming stations. Each station includes a gaming chair, headset, built-in back-lit keyboard and gaming mouse. Stations are grouped into a 20-seat “arena” with light-up neon panels showcasing these labs behind walls of glass and putting learning on display.
A Next-Gen Learning Environment
Sound attenuation was a critical design element. One might ask, “How can 250 middle school students pass standardized tests in a hollowed-out commercial space?” The answer? “Very well, thank you.”
The flooring, walls and ceiling baffles were all designed to mute the sound in the cavernous first-floor space. This proved successful during the first year’s state standardized testing period when, according to the principal, “You could hear a pin drop.”
This innovative design and pedagogy’s impact is evident in the district’s improved student performance and engagement. Even coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, the principal noted that students who may have never passed a standardized test were not only passing but, in some cases, showing subject matter mastery.
Since its opening, GDDS has demonstrated the effectiveness of its unique educational model. While historical educational improvement has been significant, the school continues to push the boundaries of traditional education, offering a next-gen learning curriculum in a future-forward environment that prepares students for the rest of their lives.
In addition to a diploma, students at GDDS can earn industry certifications in Adobe Photoshop and Python while working on real-world projects with companies like Lockheed Martin, often securing job offers before graduation. Soft skills such as collaboration, problem solving, and a passion for learning flourish in this unique setting, preparing graduates to succeed in careers demanding adaptability and technical proficiency.
Project Facts:
- Project: Game Development Design School (GDDS)
- Location: Burleson, Texas
- Area: 35,000 square feet
- Architect and Interior Designer: Pfluger Architects
- Contractor: Jackson Construction
- Engineering Consultants: Glenn Engineering Corporation (civil); The Structural Alliance (structural); IEG Consulting Engineers (MEP)
A School for the Future
GDDS attracts many students because of its self-paced instruction model. Students who might fall through the cracks at other schools find success here. By integrating advanced technology and flexible learning environments, the school’s educational model supports individual learning styles and paces, making education more accessible and engaging. This approach ensures every student receives a personalized education.
The original event space that inspired the building’s purchase is now an auditorium used for districtwide events like the annual film festival awards, national signing day celebrations, e-sports competitions and graduation ceremonies.
From the start, the project was designed to create an educational environment that meets the needs of students who may not thrive in traditional settings. It continues to push the envelope for middle and high school education with a design that breaks the mold of modern educational architecture. In fact, the design speaks to the culture and concept of a one-room schoolhouse — where each student owns their education, interacts daily with those more and less advanced, and respects others with whom they share the space. This next-gen learning space equips the whole student with multi-disciplinary skills that prepare them for life and an ever-evolving future.
The project is a pioneering example of how adaptive reuse and innovative design can transform education, setting a new standard for educational environments. By creating a high-tech, flexible learning space to complement the creative curriculum, Pfluger Architects has provided Burleson students a space where they can thrive, achieve and prepare for future careers.
Architect Terry Hoyle, AIA, LEED AP, is Principal and CEO of Pfluger Architects, where he led the design of Burleson’s GDDS, among many other innovative learning environments across Texas.
This feature originally ran in the November/December digital edition of School Construction News.