St. Michael Academy

Project Statement

St. Michael Academy is a newly constructed 103,000 SF Pre K – 8th private catholic school set in the rural landscape of Nolensville, Tennessee. The campus will eventually include Mother Theresa Catholic Church, a corresponding high school, & a variety of athletic fields. The design team & client strived to create a safe & welcoming building that fostered learning and emphasized the message of the Catholic teachings.
The school’s program is extensive including a Chapel, Innovation & Discovery lab, science rooms, a library, cafetorium, gym, art rooms & a variety of other classrooms. It was important to organize the spaces so they felt easily connected to each other while also separating them enough to maximize daylight. In plan, the larger shared common spaces are consolidated in the center with wings of classrooms branching off from the central volume. A Great Hall with a series of skylights runs through the central volume connecting the west wings to the east wings.
It was important the future school referenced Catholic symbolism to reinforce the mission behind the new campus. The wings of St Michael, the Archangel the academy is named after, inspired much of the roof geometry, mimicking the outstretched wings of an angel. Other important symbolism translated throughout the design included water, a symbol of life and purity and circular forms, referencing eternity & the Holy Trinity. The school follows the curve of the existing natural pond, maximizing views to the water at every chance. Additionally, circles of common spaces on both the interior and exterior were created to encourage collaboration & create pockets of activity.
The building was designed with a geothermal system to reduce the amount of mechanical power consumed to condition the building. There is a robust building automation system that includes a teaching mode, in which an energy dashboard platform can be used to help students understand how much energy their building is saving in comparison to a code minimum building. Other sustainable features include native planting with minimal irrigation, bioretention ponds & smart daylighting and occupancy controls & high efficiency fixtures.
With school security being on the forefront of parent’s minds, it was important the design team work closely with a security consultant to create layers of security while still allowing for a beautiful environment. Bullet resistant film was installed on all exterior glazing & secured zoning was carefully planned to confine conflict in times of need.

Framework for Design Excellence Narrative

Design for Water

The school is uniquely sited on an expansive property with a large natural pond. All water collected on the roof is funneled to the existing pond. The pond is also used for irrigation for the native plants added to the landscape of the site. Additionally, an on-site wastewater treatment system was created on the property, localizing filtration to the campus.  


Design for Energy, Design for Economy

The building was designed with a geothermal system that rejects and absorbs heat from the earth, to reduce the amount of mechanical power consumed to condition the building. The building has robust building automation system that includes a teaching mode, in which an energy dashboard platform can be used to help students understand how much energy their building is saving in comparison to a code minimum building, as well as convert standard units to more relatable units like light bulbs, cars emissions, etc. The design team has assisted the owner in filing for a credit through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that will help pay for at least 30% of the mechanical system.


Design for Well Being

Designing for the student experience was on the forefront of priorities with the new school. The team decided it was important to emphasize the uniquely natural context of the site; framing views to the exterior and abundance of natural light were guiding factors in the design. On-grade classrooms have large overhead doors expanding the learning environment beyond the walls of the school and reinforcing views to the water, a gesture rooted in Catholic symbolism. Additionally, there are variety of outdoor spaces overlooking the pond, including tiered seating & a large terrace beyond the Library that can be used for assemblies. Above-grade classrooms have a series of windows framing views of the landscape with a large roof overhang shielding the classrooms from harsh light.  Lastly, four staircases are in dynamic locations maximizing views to the pond  & encouraging students and staff to use them.