Dougherty Elementary School was designed as the district’s elementary school proto-type for the rapidly growing east Dublin area. It combines the features of both an elementary school and a community center. In order to achieve this, it was important that the design of the school had a well defined main entrance and a civic scale and appearance.

Opened in phases, the classroom buildings were constructed using site-built modular construction. These building were finished with cement plaster and sloped, standing seam metal roofs more commonly found on traditionally constructed buildings. Use of the site-built, modular building allowed the school to open in a shorter period of time than a traditional "stick-built" facility. While the classroom buildings were in operation, the core facility was constructed. The core facility accommodates the permanent administrative office area, the media center and the multi-purpose area.

The media center was conceived as the heart of the core facility. It is visible from the main entry as well as various circulation paths through the core facility, which connect to the classroom buildings. Daylight is everywhere from the generous clerestory window surrounding the media center. After hours, the clerestory of the media center is illuminated from within identifying the large gathering space below.

The large roofs with shallow slopes and the broad overhangs were intended to address the adjacent neighborhood of single family homes and apartment buildings. The entry court provides a comfortable gathering area outside and provides both covered and uncovered spaces.

Aerial Photograph by Proehl Studios.