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EDISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Edison Elementary School is designed with integrated sustainable features with the goal of net-zero energy use. The elementary school acts as the “third teacher,” by demonstrating visible water collection, daylight and ventilation techniques to the students. Intended to be a lights off school, the building strategically allows the optimal amount of daylight through careful orientation, calculations and shading.

The elementary school offers a comfortable and compelling learning environment for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Main programmatic elements include a gymnasium, cafeteria, library and classrooms. Some unique features include an indoor living green wall that students tend to as part of their curriculum. A “river” channel that visibly runs through the floor and shows students the full process of recycling water collected from the roof. There are also two outdoor teaching areas filled with vegetation that can be used for science classes, and offer views to the outside from nearly every room in the building.

The hexagonal shape of the classroom unit is a compact form that allows for different activities to take place along each wall and offers many distinct zones for activity. The window placement gives students views out, while also keeping the teaching wall intentionally dark. Operable clerestory and lower windows allow for a passive ventilation system in the classrooms.