Designed for Learning: JBC’s Role in the Indianola High School Renovation

The Indianola High School Renovation project was a comprehensive update to both the architecture and site design of the school campus. Collaborating with Invision Architecture and Larson Engineering for the Indianola School District, JBC served as the landscape architectural consultant for the project, focusing on site landscape and hardscape design, courtyard layout, circulation improvements, and native planting strategies with a focus on stormwater management and BMP areas.

JBC’s design work centered on creating a more welcoming and functional experience for students, staff, and visitors. At the building’s front entry, JBC enhanced the arrival sequence with an updated plaza design that balances vehicular and pedestrian circulation during busy drop-off and pick-up times. Despite the site’s predominantly flat topography, JBC introduced subtle rolling berms and layered plantings to add dimension and visual interest to the landscape.

A key feature of the project was the design of a new courtyard that doubles as an outdoor classroom. This space provides opportunities for informal gathering, learning, and quiet retreat within the heart of the school campus. JBC selected plant materials, including native species, that support biodiversity and bring visual interest to the site.

In the back of the school, JBC reconfigured the layout of athletic and sport courts, improving spatial efficiency and optimizing court orientation. These changes enhance usability while maximizing the available footprint. Throughout the site, JBC worked carefully around existing infrastructure, thoughtfully siting walkways and circulation routes to connect new and existing entrances despite space constraints and complex utility networks.

The result is a more cohesive and functional campus that reflects the school’s investment in both education and environment. JBC’s site design plays an integral role in shaping the daily experience of students and visitors, supporting both the practical needs and long-term goals of the school district.

With construction currently underway, we look forward to sharing more photos here on the blog once the exterior improvements are finalized in Fall 2025.