Tag: accessibility (2)

Small Renovation, Big Impact

PINE RIVER-BACKUS HIGH SCHOOL As the students at Pine River-Backus High School packed up for the end of the school year and headed off to summer vacation, bulldozers, machinery, and construction workers filled the site to complete a small addition and renovation to the building. Many months of planning and design began to take shape in physical form at Pine River-Backus High School, and by the fall the construction was complete. Kodet worked with the school district on the design for an addition and renovation to the high school building for almost a year preceding the construction to ensure that the space fit the goals and needs of the school. Part of this process was working with the committee to prepare for the approvals of the School Board and Minnesota Department of Education. Though the overall scope of the project was relatively small, the impact was far reaching. It changed the way students, staff, and visitors interact and experience their everyday environment to work, learn, and play. Construction at Pine River-Backus took place primarily during the summer months so that the students could enter the classrooms on the first day of school in the fall. They were welcomed back with a renovated facility, where changes took place in three main building areas: High School Offices High School Entry High School Hallways The work in the areas listed above addressed three key factors for the school: Ongoing maintenance Accessibility Safety and security The benefits of the project were great – enhancing the user experience on a daily basis. Examples of how the three factors were addressed are as follows: ONGOING MAINTENANCE Issues such as hallway floor cracks were fixed and we changed the flooring material to prevent further cracking problems. In doing so, we had the opportunity to update the material […]

21st Century Classroom

EDUCATIONAL DESIGN | 21st CENTURY CLASSROOM As trends in education and learning environments evolve the design of the 21st Century Classroom must adapt as well to foster differentiated learning and enhance the learning process. Creating safe and flexible classroom spaces while utilizing technological advances are imperative as one begins the design process. Central to the design process the design team must listen to the specific needs of educational institution in order to meet their unique academic needs. Illustrated below the diagram addresses the ability for the teacher to work with content materials, varied processes, activities, and allows the students to work in flexible spaces which best fit their individual learning styles. ACOUSTICS Non-typical shapes are utilized in order to enhance acoustics, which improve focus and student concentration and focus. It is imperative each student is given an environment, which allows him or her the opportunity to perform at the highest level.   LIGHT + AIR Operable windows allow a breadth of light and air which are critical to a high quality classroom environment. Fresh air and natural light enhance students’ ability to focus and shading devices can be used to minimize glare. BREAKOUT SPACES Classrooms provide a variety of learning spaces for a collection of learning and teaching styles. Having dedicated breakout spaces will create environments, which welcome all learning styles. SMALL GROUP + INDIVIDUAL LEARNING No two students learn the same way. Small group and individual work areas have a variety of seating types and work surfaces to accommodate students’ varied comfort levels and work styles. COMMUNITY GARDEN Including a community garden extends the classroom beyond the walls of the school and outdoor learning curricula can easily be incorporated into the school day. LARGE GROUP DISCUSSION + PERFORMANCE SPACE The large group presentation area has uniform seating and a […]