Midwest
An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about midwest
Project • By Dake Wells Architecture • Primary Schools
Reeds Spring Middle School
Reeds Spring Middle School takes best advantage of a steeply sloped and heavily wooded site to combine student learning, community engagement and the natural environment into its K-12 campus. The design solution accommodates the district’s desire for state of the art technology integration, collaborative learning and storm safety as the highest priorities for its students.The result of a collaborative planning exercise with the district, a new semi-circular ring road will connect existing district facilities and provide access to new ones as well, including this new middle school. The strong geometry of the road responds to the need for clear organization and site topography, minimizing land disturbance.In order to preserve the natural envi... More
Project • By Dake Wells Architecture • Wellness Centres
Montgomery County Gymnasium
In the small town of Montgomery City, Missouri (population 2,835), basketball draws the community together to cheer their team to victory creating the need for a new competition gym at the Middle School. This new addition and pedestrian plaza provides a new gateway to athletic events. It includes a kitchen and commons that doubles as cafeteria during the day and a preconvene for nighttime events.Working with a local precast manufacturer, the surface of the concrete enclosure is developed as a bold, durable graphic representation of the school logo, “The Power Cat”, marking the entry to athletic facilities. Expressed as equally spaced, vertical concrete fins, the graphic logo is animated throughout the day with the changing sunlight. Blue gl... More
Project • By Dake Wells Architecture • Primary Schools
Macks Creek School Additions & Renovations
When Macks Creek, Missouri (pop. 244) lost its township status in 2012, its rural school became the last remaining official symbol of its close-knit community. Perched atop a hill overlooking the old downtown, the school needed improvements for its youngest students, and in 2014, the community saw the opportunity to exhibit their hometown pride. The resulting project replaces a failing WPA era building while improving site circulation and reinforces the school’s identity and visual presence in the community.The addition of nine classrooms extends an existing double loaded corridor from the school, reaching out to the street and creating an opportunity for views to and from the addition. A cantilevered classroom at its most prominent corner... More
Project • By Dake Wells Architecture • Churches
Liberty United Methodist Church
At 18,000 SF, this project is the initial step to relocate LUMC to a 32-acre site that supports and encourages church growth. Emphasizing services for young families through contemporary worship, the project provides new, flexible worship space combined with classrooms. The foyer provides space for building relationships while framing views of the neighborhoods, reminding members of their mission to serve their community.Liberty United Methodist Church has a strong history filled with tradition and symbolism, not the least of which is the Cross and Flame. Researching the origins of the symbol and finding connections to Renaissance depictions of the Holy Spirit led to the development of an architectural expression of biblical scripture, Acts... More
Project • By Dake Wells Architecture • Private Houses
Black and Tan House
Located on four acres of rolling hills in a suburban development, this single-family residence draws on the conventional construction methods of its McMansion neighbors, but focuses on reductive material use and detailing to elevate the living experience. The program is arranged as four gabled forms enclosing a small courtyard with pool for this young, active family. Sited in a suburban development at the high point of a hay field, the house recalls the simple agricultural forms of the region, but it is executed with finely crafted details that belie its conventional origins. Two grades of cedar siding are used to clad the house and express its formal origins. Knotty, horizontal siding clads the exterior with a dark stain to conceal the ine... More