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October 21, 2009

MHS renovation wins architecture award

By Cathy Spaulding

When Muskogee High School students first saw their new cafeteria in August 2007, they were struck by the variety and quality of its food, recalled district Facilities and Maintenance Director Wayne Johnson.

“They were talking about more choices of food and better food,” Johnson said. “Yet nothing changed there. The only change was that the cafeteria looked more appealing.”

Hungry high schoolers weren’t the only ones to take note of the school’s new look. The Eastern Oklahoma chapter of the American Institute of Architects has honored the Muskogee firm of Spaces, Design and Architecture Inc. for its high school renovation work.

Architect Mike Martin presented the award citation to the Muskogee Board of Education at its regular meeting Tuesday.

Martin said AIA Eastern Oklahoma praised his firm for “use of color” in the high school’s renovation. He said AIA Eastern Oklahoma reviewed 48 entries from across northeast Oklahoma and presented awards in several categories.

“We ended up being the only public school project to win an award,” Martin said.

His firm was one of six architectural firms to receive an award.

The cafeteria renovation was the first of a several high school renovations funded by a bond issue approved by Muskogee voters in spring 2007. The $33 million bond issue included $8 million in renovations at MHS over two years. Renovations included updating the cafeteria into a more colorful “food court” featuring TV monitors, places to get pizza, Mexican food, sandwiches and other items. The gymnasium, front office, media center, vocational agriculture building and classrooms throughout the campus also were updated.

MHS Principal Gary Bivin said the renovations have improved student attitudes.

“They take extra care of it, take pride in the way it looks,” Bivin said.



Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email

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