-
Site Plan. The site includes dedicated bus and parent drop-off, early childhood drop-off, new play areas and an outdoor classroom.
-
Floor Plans. The new school serves two sections per grade Pk-5th with dedicated STEM, Art, Music, Band, and Community Classroom.
-
The existing hexagonal entry and the centrally located existing library shaped the conceptual development symbolizing history and community identity.
-
The axial relationship of spaces shown in the building section, provides students a range of unique 21st Century learning environments.
-
1 Lining the entry, are pavers from the existing school inscribed with student names, connecting the new entry with Columbian’s history.
-
2 Upon entry, students are immediately connected to the Library. The lobby includes flexible furniture and learning space named ‘The Hive’.
-
3 Directly above the entry is “The Tree Top”. It provides students with views of the site, neighborhood and Library. It includes writable walls, reading cubbies and flexible furniture.
-
4 At the Library’s center stands “The Learning Tree.” It is constructed of tapered steel columns that support the roof and an abstracted hexagonal canopy.
-
5 The two story library space has a variety of learning spaces to accommodate individual, small group and classroom learning.
-
6 On both the first and second floor, students are able to occupy the inside of “The Learning Tree”.
-
7 A greenspace directly outside the Library features an outdoor classroom with a glass marker board and tiered concrete seating.
-
Grade level collaboration room connect the two grade level classrooms allowing for break-out collaboration, teacher teaming, and book storage.
-
Columbian has a long history of Student Legacy Projects. The architect carefully incorporated these historical pieces into the design. All pieces hang protected in glass display cases.
-
The architect worked with the Columbian students to design and build a legacy project. Itis composed of hexagon-shaped leaves made from tree branches cut from existing trees removed during construction. Their words, etched over the concentric rings, symbolize growth and history. The coloring, cracking, growth rings and markings make each piece of wood unique in its own right, just like the students who left their legacy on them. They are truly one of a kind.
-
Tom Kessler Photography
-
Tom Kessler Photography
-
Tom Kessler Photography
Schemmer worked closely with the all school stakeholders including the district, Columbian students, staff and community. The guiding principal of design was to ‘Combine the Traditions and Values of the Past with a Unique Vision for the Future.’ The New Columbian School serves two sections per grade level PK through Five.
Critical to the design process was to get student input. All students were given an opportunity to provide their ideas. Through various engagement activities with the students, staff and community, Schemmer learned quickly that reading was fundamental to Columbian’s identity, history and educational programs. When asked, “What would you like to have in your new school?,” the majority of the students included “more books and a bigger library” in their response.
The central focus of the new Columbian Elementary School is the Library. At its center stands “The Learning Tree.” This two-story element, constructed of tapered steel columns, rises up to meet steel beams supporting the library roof. On both the first and second floor, students are able to read inside the tree. Varied and flexible learning spaces were designed into the Library as well as the spaces surrounding to support 21st Century Learning.
Columbian Elementary School
Category
Early Childhood School/Elementary School
Description
Project Location:
Omaha, NE
Architecture Firm
Schemmer
Omah, NE
www.schemmer.com
https://www.facebook.com/schemmercom/?ref=br_rs
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-schemmer-associates/
https://twitter.com/schemmercom
Photography By:
Tom Kessler Photography
Share