Architects: Cannon Design

McKinley High School is part of Buffalo Public School’s Phase 4 Reconstruction project, and interesting from many perspectives. The dynamic additions to the building completely redefine the building’s relationship with Elmwood Avenue, and the site design plays an equal role in this transformation. The entry layout mimics the splayed angle of the building addition, and introduces finger walks leading to the entry canopy while maintaining the significant plant materials already on site of this well known horticulture vocational school. Interesting storm water management practices are introduced to the school district at this building as well. The canopy over the primary walk is designed to showcase rainwater as it flows off the canopy as a “sheet” of water, landing in a series of catchment areas that flow across the walkway to a grouping of Rain Garden on the opposite side of the walk.

The new addition creates a new interior courtyard to the building. The dynamic walk design corresponds to the angle of the entry walk on the other side of the building addition, however, the philosophy of this space lies in the “hands on nature” of the existing horticulture program. The area is divided into permanent planting areas, as well a four designated student planting areas. These areas are intended to be used as “studio” space for the horticulture program’s freshman through seniors. Each class has the opportunity for site analysis, design, growing, plant installation and maintenance of a dedicated space just for their class. At the end of the year’s program, the installation would be removed, making way for the class to move up a grade level and meet a new challenge.

The storm water management in this area was a prime factor in the design of the courtyard as well. A Green Roof is utilized over the one story addition adjacent to the courtyard, not only introducing this much needed management system to the district for the first time, but it also creates a unique and dynamic viewing element from every level of the addition. Because of the existing site’s compaction coupled with the site damage that will be caused by the new addition, rain gardens were not a viable option for storm water inside the courtyard. Instead, an underground storm water harvesting system will be used to collect any overflow from the green roof, collect surface run off from the courtyard, as well as under-drain collections from the more remote areas of the courtyard. This harvested water will be used in two ways, one as a direct watering supply for the courtyard planting areas, and the other to partially furnish non-potable water for the school’s greenhouse irrigation system.