Soddy Daisy Middle School Additions + Renovations

Soddy Daisy Middle School has been an important piece of the neighborhood in which it resides since its construction in 1960. Several years after the school was assigned a low rating in the Hamilton County Schools facilities plan, the county prioritized the school for improvements as part of a larger school system improvement plan. Because the existing location of the school emerged as a critical aspect of the school and its neighboring community, new construction was not an option. The county contracted Chattanooga architect MTa in partnership with LGA to design a program of additions and renovations that would expand the school to handle projected growth, raise the quality of the facility and the school’s resources to meet its current and projected needs, and continue to provide a place where the community can gather.

The 67,500 SF additions include a new 2-story classroom wing with covered bus drop-off, new secure entry and administrative wing with covered car drop-off, a second competition gymnasium with bleachers, locker rooms and other support spaces, kitchen expansion, and a connector.

The spaces in the existing school that are replaced by the new additions will be reconfigured to provide better academic and extracurricular resources as well as improved common spaces. The second gymnasium will reduce the scheduling conflicts between athletics and performing arts by allowing the old gymnasium to function more often as an auditorium.

Construction will occur in various phases during both operational and non-operational times of the year. Once completed, the new 650-student school will have a sprinkler system, mechanical system improvements, lighting and electrical upgrades, plumbing improvements, interior finish improvements, additional parking, and better vehicular traffic patterns.