Kennebunk Elementary School

Narratives

Architect Narrative

Architects defined the “body” of this new elementary school, but its soul came from the teachers and town members whose input and research formed the basis for the design. This is a child-centered facility, dedicated to providing the town’s K-3 students with skills that will help them succeed in the fast-changing world of the future. The design and details throughout the building fit the central theme, Celebrating the World of Being a Child, and offer numerous opportunities for students to learn to communicate and work as part of a team, two qualities the community identified as priorities.

Inspirational quotes on friezes throughout the school build on the theme and were chosen or written by the staffs of the two smaller schools that were combined in the new facility. Whimsical silhouettes of children studying, at play, and of animals, interspersed with the quotes, spark imagination and continue the theme, inexpensively.

The schools-within-a-school plan has three K-3 multigrade “villages,” each accommodating 200 students, and is situated so that every classroom has a view of the 60-acre wooded site. The connection with nature is enhanced through the use of earth tone colors and an abundance of natural light from large windows and skylights. A 7-by- 15-foot tile mosaic of sky and trees continues the environmental connection. The soft, earth tone colors also provide the optimal ambiance for learning.

Each village has a unique character and design, with large display areas at the entry. Throughout the building, there are ample areas where student work can be displayed. Windows and display cases are set below the eye level of even the smallest child, another means of making the building welcoming, friendly and transparent to children.

Classrooms within each village are large, allowing children to move easily to and from learning centers to meet individual needs or work within groups. Where the villages intersect, a gathering space with riser steps provides an ideal place for presentations to up to 100, offering ample opportunities for youngsters to develop communications skills. A meeting room in each village provides space for staff meetings and parent-teacher conferences, and the gymnasium has a stage so that it can do double duty as an auditorium. The library is filled with natural light from exterior windows. It’s visible to children entering the building from interior windows in the main corridor.

An electronic locking system requiring the use of card keys enhances safety. Rooms like the gymnasium and cafeteria that will get community use are located near the main lobby, so classroom areas can be easily secured during after-school functions.

The building is oriented toward the south to take advantage of passive solar energy, and mechanical and electrical systems are designed for maximum efficiency. A high-tech infrastructure provides for use of the latest educational technology, including SMART boards connected to the computer network replace chalkboards.

The mostly brick exterior has simple detailing with medallions expressive of the area, such as song birds, pine cones, ferns, compasses and scallops. Architectural forms respect local building traditions and engage children as well.

Educator Narrative

“Look through the eyes of a child to see the wonders of the world.” This quote, written by staff, greets you as you enter our school and sets its theme. When parents, staff and community members planned our new K-3 school, we knew we needed to be futuristic, preparing students for a constantly changing world and for jobs that might not even exist currently. The setting needed to build a thirst for academic knowledge and inspire students to develop skills as communicators and as team members — essential qualities no matter what the future brings.

We wanted a child-centered environment that would elicit warmth and openness, cultivating an enthusiasm for learning and respect for others and be responsive to individual needs. We also wanted a connection with the natural environment, flexibility to adapt to changing needs, a high-tech infrastructure and safety.

The design has three 200-student villages, each with grades K through 3, an organization that makes the school feel small and intimate and facilitates a sense of belonging. The entrance to each village has a display area that can be personalized. A gathering space where the three villages meet has riser-style seating so children can make presentations. The gym, with a stage, is big enough for our weekly schoolwide Monday Morning Meetings. Classrooms are larger than state requirements, giving students ample room to move from one learning center to another — especially successful for our all-day kindergarten. The design fits teaching styles and programs now, but is flexible enough to adapt to changes.

The art room has stools around tables to allow sharing of ideas. Cafeteria seating is restaurant-style, with booths and tables for two to eight, making family-like conversation possible. The library, which we consider the showpiece of the school, has many places for groups and individuals to sit, listen or read. Interior windows along the corridor make it visible when the school is entered, and brings in secondary light from the exterior windows on the other side. A volunteer room provides space for parents, grandparents and others to work on projects.

Skylights and numerous windows bring in natural light throughout, making the building bright and cheerful. Classroom windows overlook wooded areas, establishing a strong connection to nature. Earthtone colors evoke a sense of peacefulness and complement displays of student work. Teachers chose inspirational quotes and whimsical silhouettes for friezes in lobbies, halls and the library. In the cafeteria, words like “courage” and “compassion” inspire a sense of community.

Interactive SMART boards in every classroom connect to the computer network. Our media room will allow us to start a video group. Teachers use a wireless sound enhancement system to make sure everyone can hear. Security is ensured with a surveillance system and an electronic locking system requiring a card key and allowing lock-down in emergencies.

While the building has been open for only a few months, it has been enthusiastically received by everyone, and we believe our goals are being met. It is fast becoming the heart of our community.