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First
Ward Elementary School
Charlotte, North Carolina
The First Ward Elementary School learning environment was in disrepair for the community and the neighborhood in which it is located. The school had a negative appearance because of a mismatched collection of buildings and poor landscaping with conflicts in walk-in traffic and drop off and pick up areas within the campus. In response to these conditions, our design process involved several workshops and intensive discussions where teachers, students, and parents explored possibilities for revitalizing the school. The project developed a series of freestanding buildings that transmit a positive image to the community. An environmental courtyard was created acting as a hub for the community, while offering opportunities for displaying students' artwork. Sculptures are installed in the yard, and clay tiles are displayed on the buildings where children and teachers have sufficient opportunity to personalize their school. The final project materializes the concept of 'A School without Walls' since it became the heart and the focal point of the community.
