Whittier Elementary School for the Arts
Minneapolis, Minnesota
The planning of an urban learning environment focuses on many challenges. The issues of context, new curriculum, technology, site and the multitude of other issues calls for innovation and a fresh paradigm for learning.
Perhaps the most important aspect of the quality of a design is the character of the resulting space. In the design for Whittier Elementary School for the Arts, the architect addressed the following criteria: light, color, quality of materials, technology and context.
The library was built with the neighborhood in mind. It is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also technically up to speed. Any library should connect people with information via the most effective technology available.
The planning process included numerous meetings with the neighborhood in the development of education, media and meeting spaces for neighborhood use.
Architecturally, the new school was to respond to adjacent residential character and scale. Thus, the design incorporated many elements that reinforced the building as part of the urban fabric and neighborhood focus.
Photographer: ©Don Wong Photography
“The reading kiva is truly special…it would be a memorable place for children.”—1999 jury
Additional Information
Capacity
825
Cost per Sq Ft
$171.29
Citation
Silver Citation
Featured in
1999 Educational Interiors;1999 Architectural Portfolio
Interior category
Libraries/Media Centers
Other projects from this professional
Hmong College Prep Academy Phase V Elementary Addition and Remodeling
Design Team Edward Daniel Kodet III, AIA (Principal in Charge), Teri L. Nagel...
Nellie Stone Johnson Community School
Nellie Stone Johnson Community School was designed as an innovative learning environment...
Jordan Park School of Extended Learning
The major initiative of the Jordan Park School of Extended Learning project...