Webster Elementary School

Narratives

Architect Narrative

The site is an inner-city location of older residential structures. The campus contains a multi-purpose building, a six-classroom pod building, several day-care buildings with the remaining operation housed in portable units. The program includes new administrative offices, classrooms and a multi-media library. The new facilities were designed as a single building for security and compactness on this small site. The triangular footprint creates an open landscaped gathering terrace between the existing multi-purpose building and the new structure.

Administrative offices are the first introduction to the campus and can monitor all those entering or exiting the school. Additionally, the offices of the principal and vice-principal overlook the interior campus and playground. Attention was given to create landscaped areas for socializing, gathering and activities. The curved walls offer a nurturing and friendly enviroment for its young occupants while providing a gentle, hospitable image to its neighbors. The intorduction of outdoor light through skylights keep children in touch with the time of day and changes in the weather while avoiding distrations from ground level activities.

The school was designed to encourage learning, teaching, study and socialization by generating diversity, tranquility, and stimulation throughout its buildings. The result is a bright, uplifting environment for the children, teachers, and surrounding community in this long neglected area of the city.