Building or renovating K12 schools for joint education and community use is a great way to get the community onboard with raising the funds needed for your project. As you think about joint use of your schools, here are a few things to consider.
For instance, joint use of an auditorium space for school functions as well as community plays, concerts or events will require an entrance that can provide access to just the auditorium. Furthermore, it requires the ability to cordon off other areas of the school where you don’t want the public to access during off hours. In this example, you’ll also want to consider the design of ancillary spaces like bathrooms, concessions, backstage areas—so they are appropriately accessible for the public during a community event.
Ensuring Access for Community Events
As you’re working on your new space, it’s important to discuss the desire for community use with your architect. Joint use can impact design in many ways. For instance, joint use of an auditorium space for school functions as well as community plays, concerts or events will require an entrance that can provide access to just the auditorium. Furthermore, it requires the ability to cordon off other areas of the school where you don’t want the public to access during off hours. In this example, you’ll also want to consider the design of ancillary spaces like bathrooms, concessions, backstage areas—so they are appropriately accessible for the public during a community event.