Winton Elementary School

Winton, California

Firm

Bunton Clifford Associates

Client

Winton School District

Area

47,931 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$13,866,771

Completion Date

05/2007

Organized around two surface streets, this new 850-student elementary school has been designed to create a sense of unity for the town of Winton by being a focal point for various community events.
The design approach to this new campus involves a focus on peer-to-peer teaching at each grade level by clustering each grade in separate buildings with common teacher-prep rooms. This design style has been shown to help districts and schools improve test scores. Each building is organized around a central quadrangle with a circular covered walkway connecting the buildings.
The site has been designed to separate bus traffic from automobile traffic to enhance the safety of the students, staff and parents.
The exterior is composed of various roof forms to reflect the agricultural vernacular of the region. It brings native materials into the palette with the use of stone and indigenous cement plaster in a variety of soft color tones.