NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED497669
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Mar
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Hector Garcia Middle School: A School's Design Aspires to Live Up to Its Name
Brown, Peter
DesignShare (NJ1)
Brown discusses the history of Hector Garcia, a Mexican immigrant who, as U.S. Army captain, worked diligently to assist minority servicemen in navigating the Veterans Administration, and found the GI Forum. Dr. Garcia's activism, through the Forum, was instrumental in desegregating hospitals, swimming pools, schools and cemeteries. Brown's case study on the school that will bear Garcia's name asks how a design team could relate civic virtues to future generations of young people. A number of features are highlighted, including: (1) Colorful classroom facades suggesting lively and diverse activities behind the walls; (2) Media center extending over the plaza, welcoming inquisitive minds into the school; (3) Compact, dynamic lobby serving as the social heart of the school; (4) Prominently-placed portrait of Hector Garcia; and (5) Expansive windows opening onto the city of Dallas. As organized, the school's planning responds both to the social organization of the educational program and naturally to the site's climate, demonstrating leadership in creating sustainable environments. It was the inspiration of Hector Garcia, writes Brown, that challenged the project team to consider this investment in a school building as a greater investment to galvanize neighborhoods with community and, economic development, and to inspire young people to think broadly about their future.
DesignShare. 4937 Morgan Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409-2251. Tel: 612-929-6129; Tel: 612-929-3520; Web site: http://www.designshare.com
Publication Type: Information Analyses; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Design Share; Design Share, Minneapolis, MN.
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A