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Site Plan
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First Floor Plan
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Second Floor Plan
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First Floor Furniture Plan
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Second Floor Furniture Plan
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Overall exterior
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Exterior close-up
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The main corridor’s extra large design accommodates break-out spaces and built-in benches. Durable porcelain tile flooring has a wood look that adds warmth to the space.
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Big, bold graphics in the main corridor call out main spaces and aid in wayfinding. Light and bright colors appeal to elementary students.
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Upper elementary classrooms feature operable walls with full markerboard surfaces.
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All classrooms feature both full length and operable windows
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With flexible furniture for groups and individuals, the media center also provides connection to nature and the surrounding neighborhood.
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The gymnasium hosts a daily “Morning Celebration” where the study body gathers for announcements and celebration of the different countries represented by their students.
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Easily accessed from the cafeteria and adjacent courtyard, the playground was designed for a range of abilities and ages.
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The cafeteria features bright colors and views to the courtyard and adjacent playground area
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The playful slopes of the roofline on the east elevation of the building are more easily seen in this rendering
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Jason Keen
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Jason Keen
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Jason Keen
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Jason Keen
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Jason Keen
Glencairn Elementary is a new K-5 school which replaces the building that previously sat on the same site. Designing for 21st century learning was at the core of the vision for the new space, and a guiding principle was creating spaces that students and staff would enjoy learning and educating in.
Physical and visual connections to the outdoors are present throughout the building. In upper grades, classes are grouped into teaching “pairs”, with operable walls in between. By opening these walls, teachers can more fully utilize different modes of teaching, and students can choose from a variety of furniture that best suits their learning.
Each classroom pair has a breakout space to support the “pushing-in” of student support services. Fixed areas for other services moved to the building’s core, elevating their importance. Where appropriate, these rooms also feature large exterior-facing windows.
A large percentage of students walk or bike to school, so safely separating pedestrian and bike traffic from vehicular traffic was a priority in the design of the site. A heavy emphasis on sustainability resulted in the use of geothermal heating and cooling, planning for potential growth, and planning for the use of solar panels.
Glencairn Elementary
Category
Early Childhood School/Elementary School
Description
Project Location:
East Lansing, MI
Architecture Firm
GMB Architecture + Engineering
Holland, MI
www.gmb.com
https://www.facebook.com/gmbae/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/gmb-ae/
https://twitter.com/gmb_ae
Photography By:
Jason Keen
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