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2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture. Westside Elementary School. Location: Cedar Park, Texas Category of Entry: New Construction Award Type: Elementary School Firm Name: O’Connell Robertson. Westside Elementary School. Exterior Walkway. Community Environment: Narrative
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2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture Westside Elementary School Location: Cedar Park, Texas Category of Entry: New Construction Award Type: Elementary School Firm Name: O’Connell Robertson
Exterior Walkway Community Environment: Narrative The entire District, with representatives from the community, leadership, administration, curriculum and teaching staff was engaged in the planning process for this new prototypical school through focus groups, planning sessions and design charrettes, creating a sense of ownership and ensuring enthusiasm for the facility.
Library Community Environment: continued The planning process utilized a wide array of community resources, including representatives from the neighborhood, community, and local business partners. The design solution supports a high level of community use. A key feature of the plan is a dedicated Parent Workroom, a hub of activity on a daily basis. Located in a brand new neighborhood, the school serves as a focal point and center of activity.
Small Reading Group Learning Environment: Narrative Innovation best describes the project, both in the learning process between students and teachers as well as in the learning environment. The District led the charge in redefining elementary education. Leander ISD’s focus on students and learning led the Design Team down a path toward creating spaces designed around flexibility; each class has the opportunity to gather both in traditional arrangements as well as small and multi-class groups.
Cluster of Classrooms Learning Environment: Continued The design responds to key instructional concepts established by the Administration and Board, such as: Flexibility Provides and encourages a wide variety of learning settings and learning strategies (i.e., individual, team, small group, large group, formal, informal, community) and flexibility and ease of adaptation in learning settings. Hands-on Learning Supports hands-on learning through curriculum, classroom size and configuration, furnishings and equipment, and group learning areas, both indoor and outdoor. Small Learning Communities Westside Elementary supports small learning communities through the 800 student maximum enrollment and amenities provided “clustering of classrooms.” Fingertip Access Resources, materials, staff, and specialized learning spaces are provided at the learners’ and teachers’ “fingertips”. The learning plan and supporting materials and facilities are designed to provide for a “learning on demand” setting.
Neighborhood Physical Environment – Narrative Neighborhood Concept Uses Extension of Classroom Small & Large group Instruction Projects & Centers Tutoring Exploration Science Collaborative Planning Independent Work Features Lighting and Day-lighting Finishes Scale
Transparency Physical Environment – Continued Transparency Inside connected to Outside Shared Spaces Transparent to Classrooms Classrooms Transparent to Support Spaces Flexible Age Appropriate Furniture Nurturing Atmosphere Small & Large group Instruction Learning Centers Exploration Access to Water
Design Charrette Planning Process: Voters in the Leander Independent School District approved a bond in May, 2006 which included funds for eight new elementary schools. Leander ISD is one of the fastest growing districts in Texas, serving over 24,000 students. In the interest of improving education and support for students, teachers and the community, the District decided to update the elementary school prototype to better reflect the District’s goals and learning model. While Leander’s current elementary school prototype had served the District well for many years, the board decided that an updated design was needed to support current trends in educational delivery.
Family Atmosphere Planning Process: Continued The District wanted the plan to be flexible with a family-like nurturing atmosphere for the students. The Elementary Steering Committee, made up of board members, administrators, principals, community members, parents and architects and planners, embarked on a multi-phase elementary redesign. The process included staff interviews, site visits at existing Leander schools, tours of exemplary school designs nationally and concentrated design charrettes and planning sessions. The resulting Westside Elementary School design establishes the new "elementary facility prototype" for all future schools in Leander ISD.
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details
