Children learn not only from the teacher in the classroom but also from the everyday experiences that surround them. Ducketts Lane Elementary School reflects Howard County Public Schools’ educational priorities through interior and exterior learning environments that harness the building and site as teaching tools. Educational signage showcases sustainable features, and provides links to the curriculum. Opportunities for interactive learning abound, including a boardwalk with overlook along the stormwater management pond, an outdoor classroom courtyard with seating and shading, a nature path along the bioretention swales exhibiting natural planting, and a science courtyard with a rainchain leading to a touching pool.
The design team worked directly with educators to organize the school into classroom clusters that define small learning communities which share both public and acoustically private breakout spaces. Clusters provide students with smaller learning communities with which they can identify. Each cluster is designed with an entry feature that includes seating, glass to allow openness and connection, skylights for natural light, and signage that provides each grade with its individual mascot. The classroom clusters, the quality of the views, and access to natural light drove the primary form of the building.
Bridges between the classroom wings on the second floor allow for breakout space and individual work space, overlook the activity areas of the gym and cafeteria, and provide a view of the vegetative roof located on the building’s first floor.
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