Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Many students in West Philadelphia currently attend school in portable classrooms that are overcrowded, unsanitary, poorly tempered, poorly lit, and damp. After speaking with Philadelphia students and teachers, our team truly believes that a nurturing and playful classroom environment can foster a successful and enriching education. Our main goal was to satisfy these needs in a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing manner. We reached our goal by including the following: modular panel systems with plenty of options for daylighting, an insulated green roof and wall with rainwater collection, self-ventilating, composting toilets, the use of antibacterial and anti-odor fabrics, under floor heating and cooling system (that reduces asthma and allergies), interactive exterior playground spaces on the facades. The color and playfulness within the classroom and on the facades was implemented because our team felt that students need color, texture, and sensory stimulation to complement their early education. We hope that one day such a classroom will be a commonly used model for the Philadelphia school system and others around the nation.