Gockley Elementary School

Design team
Steve Behrens, AIA (Principal-in-Charge); Michael K. Ackerman, AIA (Senior Design Architect); Chloe Fritz (Interior Designer); Daniel R. Hersh, Jr., AIA, LEED AP, BD+C (Project Architect)

The new Gockley Elementary School serves about 700 kindergarten and first-grade students. Relocated to a more prominent site along the campus green, the building completes the enclosure of this central space shared by other academic buildings. A two-story classroom wing connects to an offset shared-use wing that houses the multipurpose room, related arts and large group instruction. The double-height lobby, acting as a hinge between the volumes, provides secure entry from both parent drop-off/visitor parking and the bus loop. The administration suite overlooks both access points for optimal supervision.

Above the east side of the lobby, the second-floor library floats like a treehouse, creating a dramatic entrance feature. Reflecting the campus’s architectural vocabulary, the school features brick masonry, limestone accents and expansive glazing for natural light and views. These materials continue inside, joined by terra cotta cladding, wood veneer panels and colorful tile to create a vibrant, child-friendly environment. Educational spaces were designed to support early learners, incorporating areas for intervention, reading support and small-group instruction through collaborative processes with administrators, educators and the community.

Additional Information

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