53: DEI School Design | Winooski School Complex

In this episode, Cherise is joined by Cam Featherstonhaugh, Senior Associate at TruexCullins Architecture + Interior Design in Burlington, Vermont.

They discuss the unique characteristics of the Winooski Schools Complex in the Winooski School District in Vermont. Winooski is the state's only majority-minority district and has a diverse population due to its history as a refugee resettlement area. TruexCullins worked closely with the community, including teachers, administrators, and translators, to understand the school's needs and craft guiding principles for the design process. The resulting project aims to revitalize the existing school complex, accommodate the growing student population, and create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

This project had unique challenges and opportunities:
- an inclusive planning process that allowed for diverse perspectives to be considered and incorporated into the design, ensuring that the resulting school complex reflects the needs of the community.
- financial constraints required creative solutions and difficult decision-making and prioritization.
- the existing complex received multiple additions over sixty years, creating a challenge to tie the differing structures together.
- and much more!