Walking onto Menchaca Elementary, you may notice features unlike most other schools: sustainable energy measures, a beautiful modernized library and green space for students to learn outside the classroom.

Because of these innovative features, Menchaca won a Summit Architectural Award from A4LE Southern Region. The award recognizes a distinctive project that demonstrates design excellence and positively impacts teaching and learning in the community.

Menchaca Principal Eliza Loyola said this project was a collaborative effort, and the award recognizes that hard work. 

“This project recognizes the effort from our builder and architect to design an educational facility that was centered on the student experience, sustainability, indoor and outdoor environments, and collaboration,” Loyola said. “We are so thrilled that our campus has been recognized for this award, and we are so proud to call Menchaca our home.”

Menchaca Elementary was one of the first schools that AISD modernized with funds from the 2017 bond program. The design was created by LPA Inc. and construction began in August of 2018. The project took 18 months and $28 Million dollars to build.

The unique design features a collection of three buildings with shaded outdoor collaboration spaces designed around the existing heritage oak trees. The green outdoor spaces give students a chance to learn in a flexible learning environment outside the classroom. 

The buildings form two courtyards linked by a second-story bridge that houses an innovative library media center specifically designed for the school. Sustainability was also key to the school's design: indoor water usage was cut by 30%, and overall energy use was reduced by 20%, primarily through measures such as building orientation, shading and strategic use of natural light. 

“Designing Menchaca Elementary School was such a fulfilling experience because the campus meets the needs of the community it serves,” LPA Design Director Kate Mraw said. “By collaborating with school administrators, educators and the community, we were able to shape a sustainable design that offers students a variety of learning environments where they can explore, develop and grow socially and academically.” 

Learn more about Menchaca Elementary’s design at the architect’s website.