| The Palmdale School District is currently experiencing an exciting transformational shift in their approach to education – as evidenced by the district’s educational initiative, the “Palmdale Promise.” Tasked with accompanying the District on this adventure, we concluded that the primary goal would be to take the current and dated existing buildings and encourage their metamorphosis into open learning environments, thereby allowing students to transition within and in-between the new and re-envisioned spaces. The new design encourages student-to-student engagement, nurturing intimate interactions between students and encouraging diversity of thought and standard academic practice.
The next goal was to create a Next-Generation learning environment within the financial parameters of the District. Our primary design goals focused on reducing the overall number of classrooms within the building, while simultaneously disconnecting them physically, in order to innovatively reconnect them in new and inventive ways. The final product resulted in new, open areas providing communal interior space for all Chaparral Elementary School teachers to utilize. The refashioned space and community corridors encourage learning between all grades and trajectories, allowing students to interact and create social learning environments together.
Intimate collaboration with the District’s educational partners was crucial in the development of flexible learning environments. With eight additional District campuses in dire need of modernization, high priority was provided to ensure continuous operations throughout the school year. Together, we closely examined the District’s educational requirements, ensuring the community, students, and teachers were 100% in support of the transformational changes on the horizon.
Our designs are formed around the idea that “education can occur anywhere.” Outdoor learning courtyards tied into indoor learning environments provide opportunities to create a flexible learning experience. The addition of group rooms, breakout areas, reading nooks, indoor presentation areas, and in-suite libraries ensure that every area of the building allows meaningful learning to occur. Since the building is not being relocated, the approach to the administration area is of the utmost importance. Full visibility for the front desk increases the security of the campus, with glass walls providing a clear line of sight of those approaching. The ability to lock down the front of the school also prevents unauthorized access to the campus in the event of a significant emergency.
With consideration to the original footprint, it was vital for our team to maintain the existing efficiency characteristics as much as possible. With classroom wings facing east and west, we aimed to keep the glass shaded at all times while taking advantage of illustrious, natural daylight. Natural lighting throughout the central corridors, along with the preservation of adjacent learning environments was crucial, along with the utilization of tubular skylights for areas without exterior walls. Mechanical upgrades are present throughout the campus, along with neutral roof systems and LED fixtures for added efficiency.
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