iLEAD Lancaster is forward-thinking K-8 charter school in Lancaster, California. Berliner Architects conducted a series of intensive Design Charrette meetings, bringing together school administrators, teachers, parents, students and the construction team to develop a program and to establish goals. The design time frame was extraordinarily tight; these meetings helped the team to rapidly develop and execute a successful design.

iLEAD Lancaster is designed to maximize the interaction among classes and grades, while maintaining a desirable sound level. To this end, the scheme utilizes a number of semi-enclosed “campfire hutches” designed to accommodate focused, teacher-driven instruction. Smaller “caves” are dispersed throughout the building to allow for quiet, individual study. Connecting each class is a communal “watering hole” to allow teachers to easily organize grade-wide activities and events. By strategically placing these elements, we have created a flexible, open learning environment.