A2H worked with Believe Memphis Academy Charter School and their real estate firm Commercial Advisors to assess and plan for the potential redevelopment of the former Carnes Elementary School in Downtown Memphis. After being closed in 2018 by Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the building sat empty and was in need of major renovation and repair to become usable again.

A2H was brought in to assess the building and its potential for redevelopment through extensive reimagining and renovation.

Our architects, engineers, and planners studied both the desired program for this new school and multiple options for how Believe’s program could effectively fit into this existing building. In addition, site circulation and layout was studied to improve the traffic flow and usable space on the site for additional functions.

The project culminated in a master plan deliverable that outlined the program elements, site observations, three initial development options, and a final development option.