Project-in-Design

Award of Excellence

High Performance Prototype Elementary School

Cajon Valley Union School District

Sprotte + Watson Architecture & Planning

Creating a concept for a new generation of elementary schools in California was the unflagging desire of a team of educators, administrators, facility staff and the architect.  Designed to offer choices, the prototype school provides traditional and/or technology-based learning environments.  Classrooms have the option of being 720, 960 or 1200 square feet.  Specialized teaching and staff support areas are customized to district needs. 

Plan options were specifically developed to convey a sense of community and to increase levels of campus security.  Facilities such as the multipurpose building provide numerous opportunities for joint-use with community groups.  The Multi-Purpose building provides a performance venue and assembly space for local residents, while the shaded community plaza creates an outdoor gathering place for public events.  This prototype meets the criteria for CHPS [chips]. It incorporates recycling facilities, renewable energy systems, and water-conserving landscaping. Computer simulated in three climate zones, the facility uses 50% less energy than typical elementary schools.

A juror said, “I think this is a particularly unique submission because it’s one that tries to link the physical design with educational performance.  The design team goes to great effort to look at alternative ways of planning classrooms.  None of the classrooms look like very conventional classrooms.  I think it’s one of the few projects that went through that level of detail to worry about what happens inside the building, as well as what it looks like from the exterior.