Operation Shoestring
About the Organization
The Ellen Harris Center has served as the home base for Operation Shoestring’s after-school program, summer program, and community resources for many years. As the organization approaches its 50-year anniversary, it has expanded its programming and services while addressing the need for a complete building renovation.
The renovation transformed the 14,000-square-foot building from a dark, poorly utilized space into a well-lit, open, and flexible education center. Through a collaborative design process, the design team and staff integrated innovative teaching strategies to create an environment that inspires students’ creativity and curiosity. Explorative forms and textures invite imagination, while large framed openings offer new perspectives of the world beyond.
The impact extends beyond the building’s walls to include a new colorful playground, supporting healthy lifestyles for children and families in the community.
Duvall Decker led the project with assistance from Jon D. Rice & Associates, LLC, Environmental Management Plus, Terracon, Engineering Resource Group, Inc, and Spencer-Engineers, Inc.
Awards
- 2023 AIA Mississippi Honor Award