PROJECT NARRARTIVE

Hickory Ridge Elementary was designed to take advantage of a steeply sloping site, providing a two-story building that steps down with the terrain. The building and site were intentionally designed to fit harmoniously into the existing suburban area, as the two-story school does not attempt to overpower the site, but rather meanders throughout the natural ridges and valleys.
Although designed for 940 students, the school is divided into smaller, grade-level wings, which are easier for administrators/educators to manage. These wings also provide students with a more intimate classroom experience, while also feeling connected to a much larger school community when in the shared common spaces.
The concept for the interior architecture and design was based on the history of the railroad line and junctions that still run through the town today. The building floor plan reflects the theme of a railroad station, represented by the collaborative common spaces, with rails extending out, represented by the grade-level classroom wings. The floor patterning, the color usage, and the wayfinding maps also give a nod to the railroad heritage. Each grade level wing is branded with a color, with all the colors coming together within the common spaces.