Paul L. Dunbar School
New Orleans, LA
New Construction, Education, Sustainable
Carrie Laurendine with Chenevert Architects LLC
Paul L. Dunbar School in New Orleans, LA was a new construction project completed by Carrie Laurendine while working with Chenevert Architects LLC in 2015. The new campus replaced a previous school that was damaged during Hurricane Katrina. As part of the Recovery School District, the new 95,929 square foot building provides classrooms for Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade and includes a new Gymnasium, Science Labs, Media Center/Library, Music Performance and Student Dining with a full service food service. The L-shaped building allowed the design team to maintain several large Live Oak trees throughout the campus and orient the building onto an interior, central courtyard used by the Students and Staff for play, physical education and an outdoor classroom area. The three-story structure is set within a historic neighborhood, but the use and delineation of materials and massing help bring the overall proportions of the building down such that they compliment the neighboring residences. Material selections included traditional brick and cast stone with modern accents of metal panels and large storefront/curtainwall to maximize the amount of daylight and views throughout the building and individual classrooms. The design, construction and operations of the school were planned to achieve LEED Silver Certification.