Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School
Irving, Texas
Winner of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association
2003 Achievement Award
2 Levels; 144,500 Sq. Ft.
$17 M
2002

Architect: F&S Partners

Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School is located on a 21 acre site. A federally protected Wetland and Waters of the U.S. run through the heart of the campus. Rather than shy away from the challenging site, the school district and architect sought to embrace the wetland, creating a living laboratory for the students who attend.

Meeting the district’s requirements for economy, durability, and aesthetics, a tilt-wall panel system was selected for the project. Analysis proved tilt-wall to be a better value than masonry, and far more durable than E.I.F.S., or stucco. The panel system allowed construction adjacent to the Wetland with minimal impact to the sensitive environment. Complementing the tilt-wall panels, uncoated cast in place concrete with a horizontally corrugated form-liner pattern establish the building’s base adjacent to the ever-changing and evolving Wetlands.