The first thing the neighborhood sees is the school’s library, administration, and multi-purpose room (MPR). This placement announces SMLES’s presence in the neighborhood and acts as a clear campus gateway. The buildings’ sloped rooflines and vertical elements break down the scale and create safe, dynamic spaces to collaborate while also honoring the context of the surrounding neighborhood.
The school’s design and construction were well underway before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the forward-thinking design concept focused on flexibility and adaptability with a blend of indoor and outdoor spaces. Large garage-style doors welcome in outdoor airflow and expand indoor spaces to make them feel larger. Flexible furniture is easily reconfigured to encourage student creativity and movement. This flexible and adaptable design made it much easier for SMLES to open safely, practice safe social distancing, extend learning outdoors, and take advantage of natural airflow without disruption.