Rural Classroom Prototype

A modular classroom for a small rural school in Northern California. Our commitment was to design a sustainable self-contained classroom, a flexible learning environment that also provides an opportunity to utilize ‘smart technologies’ and enable simultaneous in-class sessions with off-campus students.

The proposed classroom design minimizes the boundary between inside and outside. Expression of the vernacular 'pole frame' allows deep overhangs to create outdoor rooms.

Sliding panels open the classroom to an adjacent deck where the class can move in good weather. The deck is raised enough to define the classroom area. The deck edge also serves as seating when the instructor chooses to expand the ‘room’ even further out of doors.

The basic prototype allows for 5 variations providing a variety of indoor and outdoor classroom spaces according to teacher preferences and in response to site conditions such as views and solar orientation.

Design team

Patricia Bittner, Architect

Type

Sustainability

Master planning