This beloved elementary has served generations of its community’s families since 1949. With an enrollment of 450 students, Harrison Elementary was operating at more than three times its capacity. The lack of space coupled with significant capital needs inspired our client to build a replacement school on a nearby former high school site.
The main entry opens into a double-volume space that evokes a local historic covered railway bridge. Cross-timber beams, vaulted wood ceiling and “windows” inset with images of school and community history emulate the physicality of the bridge.
Learning pods, grouped by grade level, are distinguished by unique color and local graphic motifs to aid way finding. Pods are organized to minimize travel time of K-2 students to shared use spaces, and each offers four classrooms centered on flexible break out space with outdoor connectivity.
Expanding early learning access was a client priority and Harrison’s site plan afforded the cost-effective modernization and adaptive reuse of an existing building for a standalone early learning center, with shared outdoor learning and play areas and separate drop off.
The design employs a full range of sustainable design strategies including daylighting, natural ventilation, solar orientation and exterior sunshades. A grant from the Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO) supported the integration of an energy-generating photovoltaic array.