Lakeview Elementary School is a century-old Fort Bend ISD campus in the heart of Sugar Land, Texas, originally opened in 1918 by Imperial Sugar Co. to attract quality workers to the rural area. The school saw additions and alterations in every decade of the 20th century to accommodate the growth and suburban crawl of greater Houston. In 2018 a school bond allocated funds for a complete renovation of the site, seeking to update the campus for the next generation while preserving the school’s historical and cultural significance.
Collaborating with Kirksey Architecture and Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, M2L designed the school’s outdoor features, including both early childhood and elementary playgrounds; hardscaping, softscape and irrigation design; and outdoor gathering areas that prioritize relaxation, socializing and connecting. A leading requirement of the project was the preservation of two large and historically significant live oaks, making M2L’s decades of tree preservation expertise a key performance indicator. The two heritage trees center the expanded campus, inspiring outdoor learning design and architectural elements throughout the project.
Houston Business Journal recognized the new campus with the 2023 Landmark Award for Education, an honor recognizing real estate projects that make a significant impact on Houston and help sculpt the look, feel and image of the city. The project was also featured in the 2023 Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) and Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Exhibit of School Architecture, receiving Stars of Excellence for Design and Value.
