Little Cedars Elementary School

1. 2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture Little Cedars Elementary School Snohomish, Washington Elementary School Project of Distinction – New Construction NAC|Architecture

2. Little Cedars Elementary School

3. The school and site reinforce shared use of facilities The Snohomish community highly values the natural setting of the site and the ability to enjoy the outdoors. Therefore, the school is conceived as two distinct wings connected by two bridges spanning a terraced, natural courtyard. This results in indoor and outdoor spaces where the school and the larger community can experience nature in a variety of ways.

4. Approach and entrance into the activity wing The two-story academic wing is more private while the activity wing contains the more active and communal spaces

5. Exploring learning modes in the terraced courtyard The school’s goal was to create a physical environment that accommodates the variety of ways students learn through both indoor and outdoor spaces that are flexible, engaging, and spark curiosity and experimentation. For example, the outdoor amphitheatre can be used for a lecture style teaching arena, a student performance venue, a hands on outdoor learning area, or a place for informal social and physical learning and play.

6. Self-determined learning opportunities and discovery The dynamic experiences in and under the bridges and in the terraced courtyard lend themselves to individual experimentation and a multiplicity of uses by small and large groups alike.

7. Visual immersion in the natural environment With a clear view of Mt. Baker from the library and views to the surrounding forests throughout the school, nature is constantly present. These expansive views bring the outside in, allowing a constant connection to natural cycles. The forested edges of the site serve as quiet backdrops for the library and the small groups spaces adjacent to the classrooms.

8. Existing natural elements narrate original site story The memory of the previously forested site lives through the large groupings of tall firs and cedars, through salvaged stumps, logs, and boulders, and through native plantings.

9. Learning with nature The project planning process identified key values such as maximizing the experience of the beautiful site and creating strong indoor-outdoor relationships that expand the various teaching spaces within the school.

10. Interconnection of exterior and interior spaces The design constantly connects one with nature through views, transparent common spaces (such as the bridges and cafeteria), and in outdoor “rooms”.

11. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

12. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

13. Site section and opportunities for bringing the outdoors in The two wings take advantage of a steeply sloping site by locating one wing on an upper plateau and the other wing on a lower plateau, connecting them by bridges on the second floor. A mechanical basement room carved into the slope efficiently facilitates the displacement ventilation system that provides 100% fresh (not re-circulated) air at floor level to all classrooms. The exposed grilles of the displacement ventilation system in the classrooms allow the building itself to teach about environmental stewardship

14. Exploring learning modes on the bridge

15. Terraced courtyard rewards exploration with variety