Creating toward a better tomorrow

William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard
for the Academically Talented and Gifted
Nurturing the leaders of tomorrow

IDG+ Architects was proud to be selected to design a renovation and addition to William B. Travis Academy for the Dallas Independent School District. This project showcases IDG+'s expertise and commitment to excellence. IDG+ provided comprehensive services to DISD, including programming, schematic design, construction documents, bid negotiations, and construction administration. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to deliver results for our client.

As part of the Dallas Independent School District's 2015 Bond, this esteemed institution underwent a three-story addition. The addition includes state-of-the-art performing arts rooms, visual arts classrooms, restrooms, a library, a media center, and additional classrooms. In total, 61,000 square feet were renovated and a 30,000 square foot addition was constructed.

The focus of William B. Travis Academy is on academically talented and gifted students, and with the new facilities, the academy is better equipped to educate both today's scholars and tomorrow's leaders.

In addition to the functional and aesthetic amenities, resilience and sustainability were key factors in the academy's design. IDG+ incorporated a storm shelter to ensure the safety and security of all students and staff. It is worth mentioning that all CHPS requirements were met. Similar to LEED, CHPS uses a credit-based metric to certify sustainable schools. Refer to the graphic below for more details.

IDG+ Architects Environmental Stewardship

"Our commitment lies not only in the bricks and mortar but in weaving together the very fabric of a greener tomorrow.

As architects, we believe that education and sustainability are intrinsically intertwined -- engaging young minds in their immediate environment while nurturing the planet.

By integrating renewable energy systems, maximizing natural light, and using low impact materials, we empower learners to embrace sustainability as a way of life."

William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard

Materials

50% of the materials used in the renovation and addition were recycled.

Local materials were sourced to reduce an energy-intensive shipping process.

All paints, sealants and adhesives used throughout the building contain low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

I.E.Q.

MERV-13 filters were installed in the facility to filter out dust, pollen and other particles to improve the indoor air quality.

The dedicated Outdoor Air System cycles fresh air throughout the space at a higher rate.

Interior and exterior LED lighting reduces energy consumption as well as the heat generated in the building. This intervention lowers the operating costs to cool the building.

Energy

Environmentally preferable refrigerants are used to cool the building to reduce the facilities impact on the environment.

Water

Low-flow plumbing fixtures conserve water by reducing consumption.

Site

80% of the trees and non-turf ornamental plant species used are native to the local area. This reduces water consumption by utilizing plants that thrive in typical weather conditions instead of mechanical irrigation.

Collaborative for High Performance Schools prioritizes protecting student and staff health and enhances the learning environments of school children everywhere, conserving energy, water, and other natural resources while reducing waste, pollution, and environment degradation.
William B. Travis Academy / Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted
William B. Travis Academy / Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted
William B. Travis Academy / Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted

“It was an honor to contribute my expertise as a LEED Green Associate to design a high-performance facility that is a responsible contribution to the built environment.

We had a lot of fun with the playful design, incorporating moments for discovery, social interaction and collaboration within the space.”

~Hussein Mbarak, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, LEED GA
Project Manager

Key Information

Construction Contract Amount: $10,600,000

Construction Start: May 2021
Construction Complete: March 2022
Contractor: Big Sky Construction
Program Manager: Jacobs Solutions Inc.

Project Team:

  • Ben S. McMillan III, AIA, NOMA, NCARB
  • Hussein Mbarak, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, LEED GA
  • Peggy Nordmann, Assoc. AIA
  • Ismael Kabre, Assoc. AIA, NOMA
  • Cristina Betanco


Building Award Winning
Communities Since 2001

Offices

440 Benmar Drive, Suite 3335
Houston Texas 77060

1341 West Mockingbird Lane, Suite 600W
Dallas, Texas 75247

4507 Sterling Avenue, Suite 306
Peoria, Illinois 61615

Contact

Texas
Houston 832-448-2462
Dallas 214-387-2308

Illinois
Peoria 309-670-2466

Email Us

Creating toward a better tomorrow

Sweat Box Gym:
From Humble Beginning to Community Success Story

Starting a business is no easy feat, but Sweat Box Gym in Humble, TX has managed to do just that and more. Founded in 2019, the gym has quickly grown in size and popularity, becoming a community staple and an inspiration for other trainers.

The gym began as a small space within a larger facility called Fit Crew Houston, with just four punching bags and a mat. But it didn't take long for the gym to outgrow its humble beginnings. In just six weeks, the gym expanded from 700 SF to 1500 SF, and by 2020, they had acquired 2,200 SF at another facility. But even that wasn't enough to satisfy the demand of the classes, and by 2021, they had run out of space.

Enter owner Johannes "Jo" Azucena, who had a vision for a mixed-use facility where he could work and live, allowing him to be near his family and young children. With a dedicated team and a commitment to community-focused fitness, Sweat Box Gym has become a local success story.

One of the things that sets this gym apart is its commitment to family-focused programming. In addition to classes for fighters and crossfitters, they offer events and opportunities for children and families, including snowball fights in the winter, water slides and water balloon toss in the summer, family hiking trips at Lake Houston Park, and children’s health coaching programs.

IDG+ Architect's design, as well as the expertise and execution by Mero Construction played a crucial role in the success of Sweat Box Gym. Jo was heavily involved in the process, and loved the visioning exercises with the design-build team. The gym is located in an industrial area of Humble that doesn't see a lot of development, but with a renovated site and a new business that is family-centered, families coming from the gym during events or classes visit the surrounding businesses and have supported the local economy in ways that it was not supported before.

One of the standout features of Sweat Box Gym is its HVAC system, which allows for natural ventilation while still maintaining comfort in the gym and residence. Jo praised the design team for their quick response time and understanding of his unique needs.

Sweat Box Gym is not just a success story for its owners, but for the entire community. It is an example of what can happen when a business is committed to serving its customers and supporting its local economy.

As Jo said, "The building can serve as an inspiration for a new typology in an old but new commercial development." We can't wait to see what Sweatbox Gym achieves next.

“The experience was awesome, it was insane. The space is perfect for us and it’s a dream come true.”

~ Jo Azucena
Owner, Sweat Box Gym


Building Award Winning
Communities Since 2001

Offices

440 Benmar Drive, Suite 3335
Houston Texas 77060

1341 West Mockingbird Lane, Suite 600W
Dallas, Texas 75247

4507 Sterling Avenue, Suite 306
Peoria, Illinois 61615

Contact

Texas
Houston 832-448-2462
Dallas 214-387-2308

Illinois
Peoria 309-670-2466

Email Us

Creating toward a better tomorrow

Eddie Bernice Johnson Elementary School
Putting Students First

Elementary School

IDG+ Architects designed this beautiful 83,700 square foot school, which was named after Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, to serve 650 students.

The design concept was inspired by colors that support concentration and information absorption.

This vibrant and purposeful color scheme is one of the first elements to communicate the message behind the design -- on both visual and psychological levels.

This innovative facility solved community needs and enrollment growth while looking to the horizon for determining future student interests and skills.

The school serves students in Pre-K through the Fifth Grade and features an open central library and collaborative learning spaces. These collaborative learning spaces create a unique and inspirational academic experience.

Dallas Independent School District’s first brand-new school since 2015. Constructed as part of the 2015 Bond Program.

Eddie Bernice Johnson Elementary School
Eddie Bernice Johnson Elementary School
Eddie Bernice Johnson Elementary School
Elementary School
Eddie Bernice Johnson Elementary School
Elementary School
Elementary School

A 21st Century learning environment for students and teachers

Interior finishes include terrazzo flooring, ceramic tiling, visual display boards, folding partitions, custom millwork and an elevator as well as state-of-the-art mechanical, plumbing, electrical and technology systems.

The 83,700-square-foot campus includes an administrative area, media center, library, art and music classrooms, gymnasium, dining/stage, central plant, playgrounds, and parking.

"We were delighted to bring our best work to this 21st Century School. Our team worked with educators to design into the future.

Using light and color, we lit up the entire school while simultaneously making the most of sustainable building materials." 

~ Ben McMillan
President, IDG+ Architects

Key Information

Total Budget: $36,244,854
Construction Budget: $22,745,620
Architect: IDG+ Architects
Contractor: Ratcliff Constructors LP/VPG, JV
Program Manager: JACOBS
Project Manager: Abhi Nigudkar

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson 

“The teachers and facility in public schools across the country are responsible for inspiring and lifting millions of young people out of poverty and into the middle class. I am sure many teachers and faculty are facing difficult choices as we continue to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Balancing their desire to help young people succeed in the future while calculating the risks going into the classroom may have on their health is no easy task. The least we can do is to stand with them and respect whatever decision is made.”


Building Award Winning
Communities Since 2001

Offices

440 Benmar Drive, Suite 3335
Houston Texas 77060

1341 West Mockingbird Lane, Suite 600W
Dallas, Texas 75247

4507 Sterling Avenue, Suite 306
Peoria, Illinois 61615

Contact

Texas
Houston 832-448-2462
Dallas 214-387-2308

Illinois
Peoria 309-670-2466

Email Us