Given the educational model of The Project School, we designed flexible spaces that could either be used as a traditional classroom or as a more interactive space. We designed the furniture to be flexible enough to serve as either traditional furniture or partitions. To maximize light, we took advantage of the natural light provided by the big windows and also added skylights. The building is located on a property with lots of potential for future outdoor development. Currently, they do not have any outdoor play areas. The school is planning on developing part of the property to include outdoor play area and maybe a garden which could also be used as an exterior classroom. Our initial design proposal includes the introduction of a green roof or edible garden.

We collaborated with both the students and the staff in our design approach. We wanted to maintain the industrial look of the interior and make use of the abundance of natural light. We designed moveable furniture to allow for the flexible use of the spaces. This flexible use furniture also can serve as partitions.
They include absorptive pad on their backsides to improve building acoustics. We introduced a ceiling cloud.

We wanted to use environmentally friendly materials for this project. The materials we are using are all found within a 500 mile radius. For this design, we will be using recycled content carpet, reclaimed wood, aluminum, sustainable upholstery and low voc paints.

Partner

The Project School
1145 E. 22nd St.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
phone: 317.608.0210
fax: 317.608.0211
email: info@theprojectschool.org

Partner Description:

The Indianapolis Project School (TPS) is a K-8, teacher-designed model that opened with Kindergarten through sixth grade in August 2008. TPS is focused on developing positive habits of the Heart, Mind, and Voice through project, place, and problem–based (the P3 Framework) curriculum. Through P3 Projects, students identify real issues in their communities and utilize community assets to address those issues. The Project School utilizes multiage teaming and discipline-based literacy and numeracy workshops to scaffold the skills students need to engage in highly authentic and integrated P3 Projects. Project School students engage in critical, creative, and reflective thinking, thus developing their intellectual character. The Project School is committed to teaching the whole child and developing socially conscious citizens, who can work collaboratively, lead others, and contribute to the greater good.

Partner website:

www.indianapolisprojectschool.org

Location:

The Project School is located on the near northside of Indianapolis in the Martindale on the Monon neighborhood. The area around the school is economically disadvantaged with brownfield challenges. The school building is a two story structure housed in a former National Motor Company factory.

Need

The Project School faces design challenges as the building was originally built as a car factory. To turn the former factory into a school, the first floor was partially renovated and adapted to function as the primary school building. The first floor contains the classrooms, offices, reception area, computer lab and multi-use common area. While it functions adequately for the basic needs of the school, it does lack storage space.

The student population of the school is growing and there is a need to expand and develop the second floor of the building. Currently, the second floor only contains the principal’s office. The school would like to develop the second floor with additional classrooms and restrooms to allow for the growth of the school. Our design challenge is to address this need by designing in collaboration with the students and staff a future classroom.

Program

According to the educational model for The Project School, the
School will have:
• Flexible spaces
• Lots of light.
• Storage areas

The qualities the school personnel like about the school are:

• Industrial look of the building.
• Natural light
• Tall spaces

The qualities the school personnel dislike about the school are:

• Lack of storage
• Lack of acoustic treatment.

Collaborate with Students

At the beginning of the Design Challenge, we met with the school Art teacher, Patricia Wildhack and her class of 5th graders. Prior to the meeting, Ms Wildhack had explained the Design Challenge to her 5th grade students and they were excited to be part of the project. During the first meeting, we decided it would be most beneficial for the students to work with us in small design teams. Our design team worked with Kadeesha and Scottie. During a series of meetings with the students, we worked together to help create their vision of a future classroom for The Project School. Both enthusiastically offered design ideas and drew some sketches of ideas they would like to see in a future classroom. We also met with staff members at The Project School to find out how we could meet their needs for a future classroom. We tried to incorporate the concerns of the teachers into the designs envisioned by the students.

Design Considerations

Site context
The Project School is a charter school located in an economically disadvantaged area of Indianapolis. The school population is mostly low income and the majority of the students are racial minorities.
By designing this classroom, we are empowering the students and teachers and improving the learning environment of the school. Our design will minimally affect the ecology as the school is already housed in an existing building. As stated previously, the school was a car factory that has been partially converted into The Project School.

Spatial Planning
Given the educational model of The Project School, we designed flexible spaces that could either be used as a traditional classroom or as a more interactive space. We designed the furniture to be flexible enough to serve as either traditional furniture or partitions. To maximize light, we took advantage of the natural light provided by the big windows and also added skylights. The building is located on a property with lots of potential for future outdoor development. Currently, they do not have any outdoor play areas. The school is planning on developing part of the property to include outdoor play area and maybe a garden which could also be used as an exterior classroom. Our initial design proposal includes the introduction of a green roof or edible garden.

Technology
The Project School already uses computers as part of the learning environment; we designed units to house these computers.

Teaching Aids and Storage
Several school personnel were concerned with the lack of storage in the first floor of the school. We designed a movable unit that will help address this storage issue. This unit will provide storage for teaching materials as well as computers.

Our design approach:

We collaborated with both the students and the staff in our design approach. We wanted to maintain the industrial look of the interior and make use of the abundance of natural light. We designed moveable furniture to allow for the flexible use of the spaces. This flexible use furniture also can serve as partitions.
They include absorptive pad on their backsides to improve building acoustics. We introduced a ceiling cloud.

We wanted to use environmentally friendly materials for this project. The materials we are using are all found within a 500 mile radius. For this design, we will be using recycled content carpet, reclaimed wood, aluminum, sustainable upholstery and low voc paints.

Lighting, ventilation and acoustics
Lighting - Our design requires a minimal use of artificial lighting. As much as possible, we are taking advantage of the natural light of the space. All artificial light used in our design will be energy savings light (CFL’s) on motion sensors.
Ventilation - The existing windows allow for natural ventilation. The building also has high efficiency HVAC system.
Acoustics - As mentioned, we are using a ceiling cloud, and sound absorptive materials on the walls and movable units to help with the acoustics of the classroom.

Building Codes
Our design complies with the IBC and Indiana State amendments. We have the required exit capacities; we do not have dead end corridors. All corridors are of an appropriate fire rating and width. All light levels are also appropriate and the building will have a fully functioning sprinkler system.

Safety Considerations
The building already has two existing stairs that satisfy exit requirements.

Design Requirements
Materials - Our design includes the use of aluminum, reclaimed wood, low VOC paints and recycled content carpet. We are not building a new building, we are using an existing space and adapting it into a classroom. Building cost is in line with regional cost parameters.
The construction lead times are competitive. Since many of the classroom components are not required to be built on site, the disturbance to the school activities will be minimal. The Mechanical systems will be appropriate. We are also taking advantage of the natural light and natural ventilation.

Location