In the early hours of March 3, 2020, Mount Juliet was rocked by a powerful tornado that tore through the community, leaving widespread devastation. Among its hardest-hit landmarks were Stoner Creek Elementary and West Wilson Middle School—cornerstones of the area. While many were still reeling from the destruction, KBJM Architects was already on-site, assessing the damage and planning the rebuild. Jason Morris of KBJM shares his firsthand experience of the storm’s impact and the journey to bring these schools back stronger than before.
Morris remembers the night vividly. His home, five miles north of the tornado’s path, was spared, but his office was just 2.5 miles away from the wreckage. "We knew storms were coming, so when the warnings got serious, we took shelter in the laundry room," he recalls. "At 5:30 a.m., I got the call—Stoner Creek and West Wilson had been hit." Hours later, he stood among the ruins, taking stock of what remained. "I saw a suitcase wedged into a broken window. It was a small thing, but the force it must have taken to get there stuck with me."
The extent of the destruction soon became clear. "It wasn’t just the walls and roofs torn away," Morris explains. "The wind compromised much of the structural integrity, and water damage from sprinklers and rain had ruined almost everything inside. In the end, there was no choice but to rebuild from the ground up."
But rebuilding was no straightforward task. One of the first hurdles was navigating regulatory requirements. "At the time, Tennessee’s State Fire Marshal was using 2012 building codes, but Mount Juliet had adopted 2018 codes, which required storm shelters in schools," Morris says. "After extensive discussions, we moved forward with the 2018 standards. We weren’t just replacing buildings—we were future-proofing them."
And then came the challenge of working through COVID-19. "The pandemic turned an already complex project into a logistical puzzle," Morris recalls. "Some of our team worked from home, while others split into groups to limit exposure. Meetings that were once face-to-face had to go virtual. It slowed us down, but we adapted and kept moving forward."
For KBJM, student safety has always been a priority, but the tornado reinforced the importance of designing for resilience. "We've been incorporating secure vestibules into our school designs since the ’90s and began integrating FEMA-rated storm shelters in 2010," Morris explains. "Schools have to be built to withstand both extreme weather and everyday wear and tear. That’s why we use concrete block for interior walls—it resists damage far better than drywall. For exteriors, we use brick veneer over concrete block, creating a strong barrier against flying debris during storms."
The storm shelters, in particular, were a crucial addition. "They’re built to withstand the worst," Morris says. "Reinforced concrete walls filled with steel, impact-resistant doors and windows, and roofs designed to handle extreme wind and debris. Each shelter is also equipped with emergency water supplies and backup power. When the next big storm comes, these shelters will provide a safe haven."
But beyond durability, KBJM wanted to honor the community’s history. "I grew up here, and I remember the old junior high’s brick-walled dining area. That little detail always stuck with me," Morris says. "So when we designed the new schools, we included interior brick elements in key spaces like the commons and dining areas—a way to blend the past with the future."
The exterior design also reflects Mount Juliet’s identity. "We used metal roofing as a nod to the town’s agricultural roots, while large windows bring in natural light and create an open, welcoming environment. We also positioned the main entrance and student entryway facing Mount Juliet Road, reinforcing the school’s connection to the community."
KBJM has been part of Mount Juliet since 1987, and that deep local connection shaped their approach to the project. "We don’t just design schools and move on," Morris says. "We build long-term relationships. When we work with a school system, we’re invested in their future. That’s why we focus on practical, cost-effective designs that will serve generations of students."
And while KBJM is known for its work in education, the firm’s impact extends beyond schools. "We designed the Wilson County Jail addition and the new four-story Judicial Complex, and we’re currently working on commercial and residential projects right here in Mount Juliet. Schools may be a big part of what we do, but they’re not the only thing we do."
Looking back, the tornado tested Mount Juliet in ways no one could have anticipated, but it also showcased the resilience of its people. For KBJM Architects, this project wasn’t just about reconstructing buildings—it was about restoring a sense of normalcy and security for students, teachers, and the community. "At the end of the day, these schools are more than just walls and roofs," Morris reflects. "They’re where kids will learn, grow, and build their futures. Our job was to make sure they had a safe, inspiring place to do that—not just now, but for generations to come." And with each project they take on, KBJM continues to shape a stronger, more prepared Mount Juliet—one brick at a time.
"We don’t just design schools and move on," Morris says. "We build long-term relationships."