Diamond Ranch Elementary

Through a cinematic design process, the exploration of education design is performed through The Powers of Ten method where the school will present itself in incremental scale progressions. In this individual exercise, we began our design explorations at the scale of the chair. Using the Thonet Chair as a reference, the chair designs explored notions of sitting, comfort, utility, and playfulness. The exploration of education design continued with the development of a classroom that would allow for learning, inclusion and play. The easy arrangement of furniture allows for the alteration of the classroom to fit the needs of engaged learning. In a pedagogical concept of the school with no walls, an open classroom transforms during the day, starting with the learning circle, going into the group lesson, open play space, and ends with the collaborative learning arrangement.

The line enters the classroom as a track system that the classrooms use as a modifier of furniture throughout the class transformations and also used for the decentralized library. In a further exploration of equitable and collaborative learning, the classroom is able to expand and contract based on enrollment needs. This also allows different levels of education to interact with each other throughout school. The library is decentralized and learning materials circulate throughout the school on a track system.  The central plaza of Diamond Ranch High School extends into the Elementary school by a roof top circulation system of paths, gardens, learning and play spaces. Large canopy structures allows more shade for outdoor activities to take place.

© Freeland Livingston