Paducah Tilghman High School Courtyard

Paducah, Kentucky – McCracken County

The Paducah Tilghman High School had a 20,000 square foot courtyard which contained a lone flagpole, a few sidewalks which connected doors at its four corners, a broken grill, damaged areas, and a few memorial icons from graduating classes of years past. In addition, students were not allowed to use the courtyard until 2017 since no amenities were available and the doors locked automatically when closed despite the courtyard being adjacent to the smaller cafeteria.

Through an owner competition, Bacon Farmer Workman (BFW) won the contract to re-design and revitalize the courtyard. Operating only during school hours, BFW worked through the challenges of fitting materials and equipment through the 6-foot breezeway doors and lifting larger items over the school to the future plaza all while avoiding the three, large transformers which could not be relocated. Despite the constraints, BFW created a welcoming outdoor plaza with new amenities and facilities such as:

• Outdoor food service island
• Raised patio/dining area that doubles as a performance area
• 9,000 square foot tornado-shaped plaza space
• Shaded seating opportunities
• Outdoor classroom
• Custom-created 20-ft. tall pole-top high-volume low-velocity fans

The new Paducah Tilghman High School Courtyard will be more accessible in the warm months with the fans, and the courtyard is now utilized to the fullest with seating to work and socialize for the students and faculty. BFW is proud to have revitalized the courtyard into an area which expands Paducah Tilghman High School’s capabilities and resources to educate and serve their students.