Berkshire Elementary School
Cadence McShane constructed Berkshire Elementary School, a new 100,400-square-foot, two-story school located in Fort Worth, Texas. The ground-up project was designed by Huckabee Architects to serve 850 students in one of the fastest-growing areas of Northwest ISD. The layout is separated into several wings, which include new classrooms, a library, competition gym, cafeteria, kitchen, and a precast storm shelter. Berkshire Elementary is the district’s third elementary school to use a prototype design, with several others expected to follow within the district.
The most unique design element of the project is the library. Large acoustic panels mimicking trees tower over “bear caves” meant for comfortable reading nooks, and the ceiling features lighted constellations such as the Big and Little Dipper. There is also a balcony that overlooks the library and the cafeteria, with upper-level seating for larger events.
Outdoors, there is a courtyard complete with synthetic turf and picnic tables, two playgrounds, and an outdoor basketball court with four goals.
