A few of the challenges of building on this site was site access, the desert sun, and constant winds. With site access being limited to one edge, careful consideration had to be given when planning for vehicular and pedestrian circulation. In an environment where the temperatures can reach well in the 100’s protection from the sun is a must. Not to be outdone by the sun, the wind in this area is a constant and major obstacle that has to be solved.

Along the front edge of the site bus drop-off, parent drop-off, staff parking, and visitor parking was separated to maximize safety and provide an increased queuing area for drop-off and pick. Pedestrian access to the site was kept outside the vehicular access points. This limits the exposure of pedestrian to vehicles.

Through extensive studies by a fully integrated design team and input from the users, it was determined that the right solution was a master plan organized with perimeter buildings around a central courtyard. Along the eastern edge is a simple bar that is the kinder building. This butts up to the administration building towards the northern end of the bar. Along the northern edge is another simple bar that houses the multi-purpose room, library, food services, and a covered exterior lunch shelter. Connecting the multi-purpose room and the administration building is a solar panel covered canopy that reaches out to welcome visitors to the campus. Placing the canopy at the front of the school also serves as a teaching opportunity for the community. Along the western edge is the classroom building. This building bar is organized along an internal circulation spine flanked by classroom wings that cluster to form three learning villages. The eastern wing of each cluster opens to engage the exterior courtyard creating an interactive, collaborative interior and exterior learning environment.

By minimizing exterior circulation, providing light monitors that supply daylight into each learning commons, and recessing and protecting building fenestration we were able to both take advantage and protect occupants from the sun.

In an environment where wind is a major obstacle for exterior activities, the design team was able to create a protected exterior oasis for kinder play and provide outdoor collaborative learning spaces.

Inspired by its natural desert environment, the dark red buildings are animated with a few dashes of color serving as an organizing and wayfinding element throughout the campus. The use of simple forms and color allowed us to focus on textural changes in the façade material (plaster, corrugated metal, and perforated metal) and providing a more tactile building.

All these elements come together to create a project that will be a source of civic pride for the community.