Level Up
Fall 2018 | The Ohio State University
Instructor: Beth Blostein
This elementary school breaks away from traditional classroom layouts to create learning environments that encourage collaboration and creativity. Section, scale, and shape are used to develop these spaces.
The shape of the school’s curvature creates three types of areas: small, medium, and large. They give students the opportunity to either study individually, learn with a few peers, or thrive in a large whole group. Older students on the upper floor can choose the specific classroom setting that bests suits their learning style, while younger students occupy the lower level with more simple and structured shapes.
Students in the lower three grades look up to older students, both literally and figuratively. Glass skylights separate the two floors and bring in natural light below ground. This allows the building to carve into the ground and navigate the steeply sloped site.
The school spills out into the sloped site, carving outdoor space for children to play. It creates pockets and niches for learning to be conducted in outdoor classrooms, taking full advantage of the private outdoor space.
