PROJECT
Eakin Elementary School
Pre-K-6 Early Education • 2023 • Knowlton School of Architecture
Learning facility whose design is driven by the idea of learning without walls.
Overview
The open-air schools of the early 20th century prioritized access to light and air as essential to a child's intellectual development, while the "Open Classroom" movement of the 1970s used architecture to break down traditional hierachies between teachers in students. In my design, I aimed to incorporate both ideologies, while incorporating my own: movement is essential to a child's learning. I have found, through research and my own personal experience, action- based learning increases creativity and problem solving while improving concentration and relieves stress. In addition to the absence of the traditional classroom, there is no separation of the grades, allowing for mentorship and collaboration between the older and younger students, which I believe is essential to the education of a young mind. Each grade instead has their own occupiable cubby, big enough to sit and store their items.
Drawings
