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
Professors: Vanessa Schutte, Darin Hanigan
9 WEEKS
Landon Healy + Sean Kelly + Alycia Timmerman + Lubna Al Sebai + I-Chen Chen
Rhino 7, Revit, Lumion, TwinMotion, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
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
