START HERE

WHy iT STARTS WiTH mE…

It’s all about the first day, the backpack, a best

friend, or the next text... I’m thinking about my

parent’s divorce, the cute girl in the third row

of chemistry and my game this weekend… All

before the “teaching” and “learning” even

have a chance to contribute to my academic

experience.

The challenge of creating the most conducive

environment for learning, health, safety, and

my overall well-being, is what my teachers,

my district, my parents and my community are

facing everyday… so should my architect.

WHy iT STARTS WiTH mE…

NOTHiNGNOTHiNG TO SEE HERE

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Orcutt | Winslow is challenged, like you, when it comes to designing schools that make the most sense for your students, teachers, parents, maintenance staff and community as a whole. But, by listening to your concerns & goals, and facing the elephants in the room, we can use those challenges as opportunities to create truly transformative learning environments. We know that you are looking at new challenges everyday, from social media and technology advancements to testing and performance requirements. How can your built environment encourage learning and promote the teaching process? Here are some ideas that worked in some neighborhoods close by…

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SAy CHEESE

SAy CHEESE

How does cheese relate to architecture? We all know that kids need their daily allotment of calcium and other vitamins and minerals. As a nation, we are fighting childhood obesity and health issues from lack of, or improper, nutrition. Roosevelt District’s child nutrition and community education center is designed to not only offer healthy programs in a community environment, but to save the district thousands of dollars per year in the process. That’s how cheese and architecture collide.

Wellness for Mind and Body Murphy District uses a wellness clinic and local medical volunteers to give kids the headstart they need through wellness checks, immunizations and one-on-one tutoring in a facility designed for this emerging population

Designing Healthy Habits80% of the landscaping at the Roosevelt School District Wellness Center is edible. This project, slated to be complete in 2013, will also include a Talapia Farm and Gardening as a physical education unit

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NO VACANCy

NO VACANCy

“There are a lot of geniuses sitting in the back of our classes, but they don’t get properly taught in classrooms with more than 30 other kids,” said one Los Angeles student in a recent news article. Classrooms are taking on a new look. What worked traditionally is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution. Learning labs are replacing traditional spaces to create collaborative, small and large group spaces for hands-on research and exploration. Alternative seating, technology, and flexibility all contribute to making room for the diversity of each population, their instructors and each and every learning style.

Alternative SpacesScottsdale Christian Academy utilizes outdoor corridors and courtyards for performance, teaching and special functions

Indoor | OutdoorGiant garage doors join indoor and outdoor spaces at Phoenix Union’s Bioscience High School for larger gathering spaces

Learning labs are becoming more and more collaborative to accommodate all learning styles

Flexibility, Flexibility, Flexibility

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BULLy-PROOF

The latest research shows that one in three children are directly involved in bullying as a perpetrator, victim, or both. And many of those who are not directly involved witness others being bullied on a regular basis. No child is immune—kids of every race, gender, grade and socio-economic sector are impacted. But it doesn’t have to be this way.Our roles in how to stop bullying might be fuzzy, but we can create environments that deter it.

School design cannot eliminate a social/human problem like conflict, but, since we know that 67% of incidents occur in situations where an adult is not present we can offer options that promote safety, visual access and better security.

« Secure Courtyard Open courtyards with bright lighting

ObservationOpen classrooms, courtyards or circulation space offers a chance for students (and their actions) to “be noticed”

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BULLy-PROOF

WASHiNGTONSiT’S ALL ABOUT THE

Good ol’ George, a founding father of our country, is staring at us everyday—from our wallets, our bank accounts and our funding sources. We are obliged to spend him, save him and find creative ways to keep him as a welcomed friend within our districts. Finding funding sources has become even more difficult than ever before. With limited state contributions, minimal SFB funds, and lower than ever Bond dollars, “bang for your buck” has a whole new meaning. Innovations, such as solar and other sustainable options or new revenue sources, all contribute to the bottomline. It’s not about focusing on what is wrong (or what you don’t have), as much as it is about creating places that make it “right.”

Solar PowerSolar power can offer energy and cost savings, and potential revenue generation.

WASHiNGTONSiT’S ALL ABOUT THE

Hundreds of IdeasThere are infinite ideas on how districts can save or generate income by reducing energy costs, combining functions, or forming new revenue generators like, catering/daycare, community use, workshops or in-house services

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HiGH mARKS

Vintage and retro may be emerging in popularity, but what was good enough for 1954 is likely not going to be good enough for today’s 21st century teacher or student. Testing, standards, and the desire to measure student learning is no doubt important, controversial, and influences how a school should be designed. Natural daylighting, open spaces with good air quality, connections to the outdoors, just being outdoors ... all of these contribute to better test scores. How can your environment give you the advantage?

« Lighting Claims of up to 25%

better test scores have been attributed to better light

HiGH mARKS

DaylightingThe use of natural light and smart skylight technologies can create a more welcoming environment, as well as reducing power consumption by up to 1/3

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Choice Furniture and classroom layout adaptability can help give your

environment the boost it needs to connect with what the brain wants

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OmG!TTyL

OmG!TTyL

Students today are technophiles. They love their video games—all fast-paced and addictive—and they can’t put down their smart phones, iPods, and social networks. And educators? They might also love new technologies, but even if they don’t, they realize that technology often is the key to locking in a student’s interest. The challenge is... how? Deitrya Anderson, a Tulsa teacher, puts those phones “to an educational use” through a site called Wiffiti that receives and displays student questions via text message. Others are using Twitter—sending tweets to students to remind them of key points from the day’s lesson or use it as a language arts tool. Even Facebook has its merits. Susan Colquitt, a New Mexico teacher, says she uses it to answer her students’ questions and mentor them.

UpgradeableClassrooms designed to accommodate new and evolving technologies

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OptimizeSmart boards, smart phones, laptops, notebooks and even cameras are entering the classroom along with new lightening speed information.

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OUT TO LUNCH

OUT TO LUNCH

IF it is true that one in four parents is labeled (a little) “crazy”…THEN, think of three parents you know - if they are normal, then it might be you. This might be a silly joke, but the fact is, schools are dealing with two dichotomies, the involved and uninvolved parent, and every kind of family dynamic you can thing of-- transient families, working families, blended families, extended families…the list goes on.

Kids often live in multiple environments from week to week with varying caregivers and influences in their lives. Various community connections (ie. daycare, sports, art, tutors, etc) help support or detract from the school experience.

Unreachable? Or unavoidable? Either way, teachers wish for the kind of parent/community involvement that supports learning. What can be included in school design to help our “villages” play a positive role in how we choose to raise our children?

Community Schools Sharing sports fields, performing arts, classroom or gymnasium spaces with

the community can bring outside influences into a safe and secure environment that exhibits community collaboration and pride.

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In architecture, one-size does not fit all...There are millions of untold stories out there waiting to be heard. That’s why Orcutt | Winslow designs always start with YOU and the things that you are facing today. It is our job to help customize your environment to your curriculum, culture and…curiosity. Let us show you how!

3003 N. Central Ave, 16th Floor Phoenix Arizona 85012602.257.1764 • www.owp.com

Please contact us for more information:Vispi Karanjia karanjia.v@owp.com

Michael Sundberg sundberg.m@owp.com

Kristine Mower mower.k@owp.com