Harris Elementary School

To meet the pressing need for more dining space, Harris Elementary expanded its cafeteria with a renovation and addition that doubled capacity while creating a brighter, more inviting environment for students. The design features durable masonry construction, wood acoustic ceiling panels, and a series of clerestory windows that bring natural light deep into both the new and existing dining areas.

The addition was built into a partially enclosed courtyard—an inventive solution for a landlocked site. This required careful rerouting of existing utilities, which also provided an opportunity to resolve long-standing drainage issues. Though height restrictions posed by the surrounding structure could have made the new space feel constrained, the design team introduced a raised roof volume with clerestory glazing, giving the interior a sense of openness and connection to daylight.

The result is a cafeteria that feels spacious and welcoming, turning a once-overcrowded space into a centerpiece of the school experience.