Mainland High School Replacement Project

Daytona Beach, FL

Mason Contractor: BBA MCI
Architect: Reynolds Smith and Hills Inc.

Project Description

The Mainland High School Replacement Project in Daytona Beach Florida is truly a breathtaking project to view. With 631,000 Interstate jumbo utility brick along with 452,000 concrete masonry units this project is a study of various masonry products being placed together in a manner that is as aesthetically grand as any project in the nation. Holding true to a Florida Coastal theme with the color selection, Interstate's Baja Brown, Arctic White, and Desert Sand brick were selected for the project. The project utilizes color schemes and brickwork patterns that are central in making the project a success. The arch detail and the soldier coursing of the arctic white brick provide enough of a relief in the desert sand field color to give the building a sense of scale. The Baja brown base, laid in soldier coursing, anchors the buildings while matching the roof tile. The masonry further compliments the building by seamlessly blending various components and materials to produce a structure that is both pleasing to the eye while holding true to the historical Spanish architectural influences found in the local buildings.

The scope of the project was a complete replacement of the existing Mainland High School in Daytona Beach Florida. The campus consists of five buildings shown throughout the photographs. Building One is the Classroom and Media Center Building facing International Speedway Blvd. Building Two is the Cafeteria, Administration, and Classroom Building. Its main entrance opens into a courtyard area that seamlessly ties five separate buildings into one community. Building Three is The Vince Carter Athletic Center. Anchored by a substantial gift from Mr. Carter, this athletic center and its facilities would rival any high school and most small colleges. This fact is due to the substantial generosity of Mr. Carter, an alumni of the original Mainland High School. Building Four is the Performing Arts Building. Its stage, box office and theater works are considered state of the art. Both façades face International Speedway Blvd. These buildings, as illustrated by the photographs, are the focal points of appreciation for the general public that will view the campus from the Speedway, or as they bring their child to school.

The focal point for the student consists in the grand courtyard area that is created by the five buildings of the campus. As shown in the photographs, the courtyard has various locales that can provide the student with views that are both aesthetically pleasing while providing a respite from the work that takes place in the buildings. From the lunch overlook on Building Two's balcony, to the view both of and from the Media Center in Building One, along with the congregation areas at the west and east ends of the courtyard, these areas are the social hub of the school. All of these areas are created and then beautified by the masonry scope of the project.