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SITE PLAN: Building orientation mitigates heat gain and glare in classrooms, and allowed for secure shared use outdoor space between the early learning and kindergarten programs.
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FLOOR PLAN 1: Learning pods are organized by grade level and zoning of the academic wing supports secure after-hours use of the commons and gym.
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FLOOR PLAN 2: Learning pods for the older grades are on the second floor, and a dedicated project studio provides “dirty” maker space for STEAM projects.
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The monumentality of the building was mitigated at street level, preserving the “neighborhood” feel of the school to the greatest degree possible.
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Modernization and repurposing of an existing building on site permitted development of a separate early learning facility and shared, secure outdoor amenities with the kindergarten program.
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Students, staff and visitors enter to a double volume “community living room” that evokes the physicality of the nearby historic Chambers Bridge.
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“Window” insets, prominent from the second floor view, feature imagery depicting school and community history.
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Transparency from learning and support areas to circulation space permits passive supervision and highlight learning activities.
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The library is flexible and adjoins two multi-purpose rooms for group and applied learning activities that can be combined into one space for larger groups.
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The commons/multi-purpose room is adaptable to both school and community events and can be opened to the adjoining full-size gymnasium.
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The full-size gymnasium was designed for shared community use and can be opened to the commons for large scholastic and community events.
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Learning technology, tackable surfaces and flexible furniture ensure classrooms are adaptable to multiple programs and future needs.
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Furniture, fixtures and surfaces in the second floor project studio provide maintainable maker space for STEAM projects.
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Interior artwork evoking water can be found throughout circulation areas and complements recurrent references to local waterfalls depicted in learning pods.
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Distinct colors and themed environmental graphics of local waterfalls identify individual learning pods and provide graphic wayfinding.
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Steve Whittaker
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Steve Whittaker
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Steve Whittaker
This beloved elementary has served generations of families since 1949 and with an enrollment of 450 students, was operating at more than three times its capacity. For the development of its replacement, increased capacity, educational excellence, shared community use and celebrating community culture emerged from an extensive community engagement process as key design directives.
The new school’s main entry opens into a two-story “community living room” that evokes a local historic landmarked covered bridge. Cross timber beams, vaulted wood ceiling and “windows” inset with images depicting school and community history emulate the physicality of the bridge. Learning pods, grouped by grade level, are distinguished by unique color and image motifs featuring local waterfalls that provide graphic wayfinding.
Each learning pod offers four classrooms grouped around shared learning space with connectivity to the outdoors. Classroom design maximizes flexibility and transparency to circulation spaces. Expanding access to early learning was a priority and the site plan supported cost-effective modernization of an existing building for a separate early learning facility, proximate to the kindergarten program, with shared outdoor learning and play areas.
The design employs a full range of sustainability strategies including daylighting, natural ventilation, solar orientation and an energy-generating photovoltaic array.
Harrison Elementary School
Category
Early Childhood School/Elementary School
Description
Citation of Excellence
Project Location:
Cottage Grove, OR
Architecture Firm
BLRB Architects
Tacoma, WA
www.blrb.com
www.facebook.com/BLRB Architects
www.twitter.com/BLRBarchitects
Photography By:
Steve Whittaker
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