The
New
McNair
Cluster
Elementary School
is a replacement for the existing
Leslie
J.
Steel
Elementary School
located on
Second Avenue
in
Decatur,
Georgia
. The site is comprised of 7.4 acres and plateaus on two different levels. The cafeteria is the anchor point for the lowest level of the courtyard complex. Direct access to these spaces allow outdoor activities such as courtyard lunch gatherings or outside classes. The music and art suites are located on the same level directly across from the cafeteria. These two spaces also have a private outdoor courtyard space. The three story, “L” shaped building allows the most compact footprint preserving as much of the natural site as possible. A secondary goal achieved by this arrangement was the preservation of the large oak trees that define the majority of the visual experience along
Second Avenue
in both directions. The reuse of the relatively new gymnasium building also reflects Dekalb County Schools desire to be good stewards of construction dollars previously spent.
