Gloria Cisneros Pre-Kindergarten School

Designers went to the level of a 4-year-old to establish the ideal scale for an environment suited for children. Using shape, color and material, and age-appropriate doors, windows and furnishings, the school is playful, not intimidating, encouraging children to feel welcome—and ready to learn. Numbers, letters and colors are used for wayfinding throughout the school.
The school facade has a “little red schoolhouse” feel achieved with materials, color and roof slope. Columns in front emulate children with arms stretched toward the sky.
The ceiling of the lettered corridors follows the slope of the letter designated for that hallway: “A” peaked, “B” coved, and “C” rounded. In the library, imagination is set free with bright-colored glass and uplifting ceiling treatments. Classrooms are paired to encourage team-teaching. An indoor playroom and adjacent covered patio support supervised motor-skill development despite weather conditions. The building surrounds the outside playground for added security and easy supervision. Community-centered programs in the school dining area and auditorium are accommodated with separate access and innovative tables that fold into benches.

“Like the ‘little red schoolhouse’ concept, the design is very appropriate for the age of the children. Good color selection and use of natural light and uplighting.”–2007 jury

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