Ponderosa Elementary sits in Box Elder, South Dakota. As the region's population quickly increases due to military services, the current school district is not meeting enrollment needs. Ponderosa Elementary serves over six-hundred students and offers insight of the natural learning environment.
Through the utilization of biophilic design, Ponderosa Elementary stimulates cognitive development, cooperation, and curiosity; this is achieved through nature IN the space patterns, natural analogue patterns, and nature OF the space patterns.
The main principles that guided the development of the school are: security, creative learning environment, and community.
ARCH 410: COLLABORATE
VANESSA SCHUTTE (DLR) & DARIN HANIGAN (DLR) EDUCATION TEAM
9 WEEKS
LANDON HEALY (A), SEAN KELLY (LA), ALYCIA TIMMERMAN (A), LUBNA AL SEBAIE (A), I-CHEN CHEN (IA)
SARA National Design Award, Honor Award
DEVELOPMENT
Site Studies
Site Studies
Site Studies
Site Studies
Site Development
Site Development
Interior Development
Interior Study
Interior Study
Site Development
Site Development
PARTI DIAGRAM
FINAL RENDERS
A large part of Ponderosa Elementary is its access to the outdoor learning environment. Every classroom has access to a learning space indoor and outdoor. The two amphitheaters can be utilized by teachers everyday and this allows students to become more curious about the outdoor environment. The aesthetic is inspired by the natural features of South Dakota, specifically the Black Hills and the Bad Lands.
Drop Off Render
Front Entrance Render
Nana Wall Render 1
Nana Wall Render 2
Green Roof Render
Courtyard Render
Cafeteria Render
Gym Render
Gym Night Render
Movie Night Render
Community Night Render
