The program called for 2 classrooms per k-6 grade level and sufficient support facilities to serve the amount of children and university students to be involved with the school. The total square footage of the project is approximately 45,000 square feet.

The site was chosen through an overlay study based on desirable criteria. The site is located at the very limits of the campus on a grazing field that must be repurposed due to the diminishing presence of livestock on campus. It was initially questionable due to the rumored proximity of a fault line. However, It was confirmed that the fault did not run through the site and this question proved an intriguing starting point for the design of the school.

Geology is extremely important in every Californian’s life whether they wish to think about it or not. After studying the visible manifestations of faults it became an important concept to develop the design as an experiential learning environment for children about local geography.

During study of the site the existing grids of the college and the original agrarian Kellogg Ranch structures were discovered and utilized as a system in which to tie the composition of the elementary school in to the college.  The grids were superimposed upon the open field and outline of the fault developed.
The concept of the fault became important in the overall programmatic composition and ordering of the canyon of outdoor public spaces.

Certain features of the school consist of a fully sized arts and music rooms and central library.  The forms of the aggregated buildings not only relate to the idea of the fault pushing and pulling the volumes like stones in the ground, but follow a hierarchical pattern that begins with kindergarten and moves upwards and deeper into the school towards an upper courtyard where the community spaces dominate.  The apex of the journey through matriculation is the library, music room and auditorium where the students receive their promotion.  The upper courtyard is meant to house concerts with the music room’s glass front wall rolls up as overhead doors and the room becomes an amphitheater where parents watch their children perform from tree shaded seating. 

The orientation of the long banks of classrooms is to the south with proper overhangs to allow light filled yet cool rooms with large light scoops to provide ample natural daylight without distraction.  The simple and earthy material palette of board formed concrete and channel glass are composed and as horizontal banding, reminiscent of the layers of the earth.  Conversely, corten clad boxes are like boulders that are both falling and lifted by the power of the fault and are oriented to gather diffused northern light.

This design was developed to create a new and unique twist and a truly memorable and exciting place for children.