MZA transformed a former Lowe’s Home Improvement building in South Nashville into Valor Voyager, a vibrant 40,000-square-foot middle school for Valor Collegiate Academies. Converting a massive retail space into an inviting learning environment presented a distinctive challenge. MZA creatively tackled this by splitting the original structure to introduce a lush 10,000-square-foot courtyard, bringing daylight into the building’s previously dark core. The inclusion of a second floor in the same footprint doubled the square footage. The newly reimagined space is now characterized by open, flexible communal areas that promote Valor's emphasis on mentoring and mindfulness. Valor Voyager's innovative design not only transformed the site but provided students and staff with a cozy, sunny school building that further reflects the institution’s values.