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EUA

Milwaukee, WI | Madison, WI | Denver, CO

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Token Springs Elementary School Collaboration Area C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary School
Collaboration Area
C&N Photography
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Sun Prairie Area School District, Meadow View + Token Creek Elementary Schools

As one of the fastest growing communities in Wisconsin, Sun Prairie Area School District’s existing seven elementary schools had reached capacity. As a result of a facilities study, it was determined that two new elementary schools were needed to accommodate the continued enrollment growth.

The schools were designed around four drivers – Learning is Central, Diversity, Authentic Engagement and Leaders of Innovation – and resulted in highly flexible environments where learning can happen anywhere. These drivers were integrated in both design and function. Movable walls allow for co-teaching and the expanding of classrooms; reconfigurable furniture supports different needs and learning styles, allowing teachers to highly customize their spaces to fit their students’ preferences.

Within both schools, the learning environments are configured into eight-room “ecosystems” to accommodate multiple grade levels and teaching styles. Each ecosystem has its own theme based on terrains found around the world; the themes include Arctic, Ocean, Beach and Forest with each ecosystem holding two levels of grades. Social areas in the core of the school are Prairie themed, paying homage to the community. Each ecosystem has classrooms, small group rooms, learning alcoves, a makerspace and a shared classroom library within its central collaboration area. Areas for staff collaboration and student services, as well as restrooms, lockers and storage round out the program.

The new elementary schools have different color palettes that reinforce their individual brands but with a unified design concept. The aspiration of the design was to celebrate a global community that supports diversity, representative in circular patterns found throughout the school.

The design incorporates a great deal of transparency throughout, yielding multiple benefits. Not only does the high degree of transparency create a safer environment with faculty having increased visibility, but it also creates a more dynamic learning space with visual connectivity between indoor and outdoor learning areas, including a terrace located outside of the cafeteria.

It was very important to Sun Prairie Area School District to encourage green consciousness to their students. Rooftop solar panels provide energy to the schools and serve as an educational opportunity to encourage sustainable awareness. LED lights used throughout reduce energy consumption. Below the schools, a series of underground wells forming a geothermal field use the natural temperatures of the earth to heat and cool the schools’ water supply in lieu of electricity. Around the schools, drought resistant landscaping aids in the reduction of water use, and outdoor learning spaces allow students to have an immersive education in the importance of protecting the environment.

118,301 sq ft Meadow View Elementary School
128,117 sq ft Token Creek Elementary School

 
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Status: Built
Location: Sun Prairie, WI, US
Firm Role: Community engagement, master planning, architecture, interior design
Additional Credits: J.H. Findorff & Son - General Contractor
C&N Photography - Professional Photographer

 
Token Springs Elementary School Entrance C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary School
Entrance
C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary School Nook under grand stair C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary School
Nook under grand stair
C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary School Media Center C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary School
Media Center
C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary School Green Room C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary School
Green Room
C&N Photography
Meadow View Elementary School Stairway + seating C&N Photography
Meadow View Elementary School
Stairway + seating
C&N Photography
Meadow View Elementary School Classroom C&N Photography
Meadow View Elementary School
Classroom
C&N Photography
Meadow View Elementary School Lockers C&N Photography
Meadow View Elementary School
Lockers
C&N Photography
Meadow View Elementary School Art classroom C&N Photography
Meadow View Elementary School
Art classroom
C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary Secure entry C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary
Secure entry
C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary Cafeteria C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary
Cafeteria
C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary Classroom with outdoor access C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary
Classroom with outdoor access
C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary Classroom and collaboration area C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary
Classroom and collaboration area
C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary Collaboration area C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary
Collaboration area
C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary C&N Photography
Token Springs Elementary
C&N Photography