Douglas MacArthur Elementary School

Designed to spark a child’s love of learning, Douglas MacArthur Elementary School serves as a community anchor. The design weaves Douglas MacArthur’s rich history into its forest backdrop and uses natural materials and natural color palette to reinforce connections to the natural environment.

The opportunity to give students and teachers flexibility in a learner-centered environment was a primary driver to the design. The design eases transitions to extended learning areas by interconnecting circulation around centralized outdoor learning. Student engagement and collaboration is supported with a new learning stair and an open media center concept. All classrooms have visual connections to the tree canopy outside, including nooks where windows are lowered to see outside. These strategies create authentic biophilic connections.

The design targets net zero energy and is driven by the need to do more with less. Minimizing the building’s footprint and using underground parking increases student capacity and maximizes outdoor space. Alexandria’s Green Building Initiative is integral to the design, emphasizing energy conservation and mindfulness in every design element.

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