Outdoor Community Space to foster Learning
Rodriguez Elementary School is located on a tight, sloping site with poor soils characteristic to the area east of IH 35. The “H” shaped building steps down at the crossing segment creating a split level cross section taking advantage of the site contours.
The Details
Among the features are learning pods specifically designed to serve as co-teaching spaces for small group breakout areas that connect to the classrooms.
Acoustical considerations are critical to not only effective instruction but also to many aspects of language and cognitive development. Sound absorptive wall treatments, strategic furnishing placement, and floor finishes were selected to prevent sound bleed from space to space as well as to foster a natural, calm learning environment.
Classroom clusters and their common spaces open to outdoor learning courtyards that incorporate varying STEM and natural science curriculum elements. The courtyards also support art curriculum as well as less structured impromptu collaborative learning activities. The bi-level media center not only acts as the active heart of the school but effectively links the two learning courtyards.