Understanding what drives the need for change
When Frisco Independent School District broke ground on Jones Middle School, they faced a unique opportunity. Fresh off their successful design partnership with Tangram at Rock Hill High School, the district was ready to tackle something entirely new: furnishing their first middle school built with an innovative floor plan designed to accommodate 1,500 students. This wasn't just about filling classrooms with desks and chairs.
The district had bold ambitions for Jones Middle School. They wanted to create spaces that would actively support neurodiverse learning styles, foster collaboration among students of varying abilities, and establish a new standard for middle school environments across the entire district. The 212,000 square foot facility would need furniture solutions that could adapt to everything from traditional classroom instruction to cutting-edge makerspace activities, all while standing up to the daily energy of middle school students.
How we brought the vision to life
Drawing on the trust built through their previous collaboration, Tangram approached Jones Middle School as more than a furnishing project—it was an opportunity to shape how middle school students learn and interact. The team conducted a comprehensive analysis of each space, from the welcoming lobby and administrative offices to specialized areas like the media center, makerspace labs, music rooms, and special education classrooms. Every selection needed to balance durability with flexibility.
Tangram curated furniture solutions from trusted partners including Steelcase, CEF, and Encore, but the real expertise lay in understanding how each piece would serve the diverse learning community. They designed environments where students could seamlessly transition from individual focus work to group collaboration, ensuring that every learner—regardless of their needs or learning style—could thrive. The cafeteria became a social hub, collaboration spaces encouraged cross-curricular projects, and even administrative areas were designed to feel welcoming and accessible to students and families.
1 solutions from 1 manufacturers
Amia
The Amia chair was designed by Steelcase, in collaboration with industrial designer,Thomas Overthun of IDEO. “Innovations such as the LiveLumbar™ mechanism have been incorporated into the overall shape rather than made explicit on the chair’s outside. Technology quietly serving, rather than drawing attention to itself, seemed appealing in the context of today’s information overload. This, combined with an attention to detail and materials, allowed us to realize Amia’s calm and refined design.” — Thomas Overthun
3 professionals brought this vision to life
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