Cass Lake Bena
Middle School
Incorporating natural daylighting
This 500 student middle school houses grades 5-8 in four separate “neighborhoods”, all linked together via “main street” hallways to common instructional areas. The Cafetorium, the centerpiece of the school, converts from cafeteria, to auditorium to student performance area. The environmentally sensitive facility is orientated on the naturally wooded site to take full advantage of southern sun exposure. Classrooms are designed to utilize natural daylight as a primary lighting source. Artificial fluorescent lighting is reflected off the ceiling to provide additional indirect lighting. Excessive window heat gain, common in southern exposures, is minimized using exterior sun shades and interior sloped ceilings that diffuse and reflect sun light into the inner most reaches of the building.
