(Fort Worth, Texas) — VLK is proud to announce the design for Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD’s (EMS ISD) Dr. Jim F. Chadwell Administration Building and Discovery Lab Learning Center received the prestigious Caudill Award, the highest honor in the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) / Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Exhibit of School Architecture annual competition.
The EMS ISD Administration Building was recognized for its innovative use of natural materials and thoughtful integration with its environment. The jury commended the facility’s ribbon of welcoming corridors reflecting the environment and variety of exquisite views and its prime location, nestled on a rolling hill with an awe-inspiring view of Marine Creek Lake. By creating a connection to the outdoors, the building stands out in its ability to foster an inspiring atmosphere where the environment enhances the learning and working experience by bringing joy and purpose to every day for both students and staff.
“Two things are showcased in this facility: learning through discovery for young learners and continued professional development for educators. EMS ISD’s vision was central to the purposefully designed experience, both inside and outside the building. The positive sentiments expressed by those outside of the design process is its own reward, especially for those of us who were involved from conceptual design through completion.”
Lauren Brown, Principal-in-Charge
The EMS ISD Administration Building brings the district’s administrative and professional development functions under one roof while serving as a community hub and a field trip destination for K-12 natural science classes. The district envisioned a space that fosters creativity and collaboration in a welcoming environment, with seamless connections to the outdoors; The spaces are intentionally designed to foster student exploration, support administrative needs for meetings and professional development, and house programs and departments that serve the community. The resulting design, inspired by nature centers and park buildings, reflects a quiet, reflective presence on the site, offering equitable access to nature for students and staff alike.
“VLK did an outstanding job working from design to construction to ensure that our vision for this project would materialize. We took advantage of a beautiful piece of property adjacent to existing trail systems, too small for a school, but just the right size for our new administration and discovery lab facility to serve our fast growth community,” said Dr. Jim F. Chadwell, EMS ISD Superintendent Emeritus. “Not only does it efficiently replace the district’s previous eight overburdened administrative buildings, it also provides the discovery labs named after two of the district’s finest teachers, who have promoted outdoor learning for decades. These labs provide a flexible space for students to interact with the woods, prairie, and waterways on the property, as well as being used for professional development and community events. The building is rarely closed in the evening, because it serves as a community resource for meetings and events.”
The Caudill Award, honoring renowned Texas architect William Wayne Caudill (1914–1983), recognizes excellence in innovative and impactful school design. Projects earning this distinction must achieve at least four Stars of Distinction across six categories: design, value, wellness, community, planning, and transformation. Winners are selected by a 12-member jury comprising school board members, administrators, and representatives from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). Honorees were recognized for their contributions to educational facility design during the TASA Midwinter Conference.
About VLK: VLK provides architecture, planning, and interior design services to automotive, K-12, higher education, corporate, and institutional clients, delivering innovative solutions for their specific needs. For more information, please visit our website: www.vlkarchitects.com or contact marketing@vlkarchitects.com.
About the Exhibit of School Architecture and the Caudill Award: The Exhibit of School Architecture awards are given at the discretion of a 12-member jury (four school board members, four administrators, two representatives from the Texas Society of Architects and two representatives from the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). The Caudill Award winners were chosen from among 27 projects awarded Stars of Distinction.
About Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD (EMS ISD): The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District is located in the northwest corner of Tarrant County, Texas, and includes 73 square miles of land in Saginaw, Blue Mound, north Fort Worth, unincorporated Tarrant County, and a portion of Newark. Serving more than 23,400 students, the district consists of 18 elementary schools, six middle schools, four high schools, an alternative learning center, Hollenstein Career and Technology Center, and the Weldon Hafley Development Center for young learners.