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MINNIE CANNON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Middletown, CA | Design in-progress

The new school design serves two primary goals: to bring people together to strengthen community ties, and to showcase the beauty of the natural setting.

The compact plan is organized under “one big roof” to concentrate interaction at the heart of the campus, while creating an efficient footprint and maximizing open space. The project has a welcoming presence toward the town, with a clear entry and main plaza flanked by the primary common use spaces, Multi-use, Library and Project Room. The Project Room is located at the center of the school and marks the crossroads of student life. The central axis of campus captures the summit view of nearby Cobb Mountain and the plumes of geothermal geysers, important geographical landmarks in the area. Interior spaces and classrooms also focus views on the surrounding landscape.

The Classrooms utilize ‘Smartboard’ technology for instruction, displacement air cooling and radiant floor heating for comfort, rooftop photovoltaic panels for onsite energy production, and bio-swale and retention zones for storm water management. Highly renewable and non-toxic interior finishes are utilized throughout the interior to promote good indoor air quality.