ST. HELENA MONTESSORI SCHOOL

St. Helena, CA | Construction Drawings

 

Sited among the vineyards along the Napa River, this innovative school will be part of a 10-acre working farm that will be a full realization of Montessori principles. The farm will be an integral component of the curriculum, particularly for the upper grades. The Nimbus Art Center will jointly occupy the site and will support and enhance the school’s curriculum while providing an important community resource.

Consistent with Montessori principles, the building and site features will be instructive and expressive of how the buildings and the site live, breath and work. It will be apparent how the building stands up, how it is warmed and cooled and ventilated, how the sun is admitted or excluded at certain times of the day and year, and where the rainwater goes once it strikes the roof or falls to the ground.

Instead of traditional playgrounds, the outdoor environment will be experiential and instructive. Interiors and exterior instructional environments will be closely integrated, consistent with Montessori principles, and the working farm will be a further extension of the learning environment.

This project will be seeking a LEED for Schools certification. Numerous sustainable features include permeable pavements, orchard parking, bioswales, stormwater filtering systems, displacement ventilation, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, green materials, and abundant natural lighting. Once the school is operational, sustainable practices will be integrated into the curriculum.

The Nimbus Art Center will provide daily instructional classrooms for the school and a community art center. Art classes will regularly be provided to the public. The heart of the Art Center will be the indoor/outdoor gallery space that frames the view of the vineyard and foothills of the Napa Valley beyond.