Kindergarten Classroom, Santa Rita Elementary School (2003)*

Artist/Designer: Gelfand Partners Architects

Project Location: California, United States

Style/Period(s):
Contemporary, Renovated

Primary Material(s):
Wood, Concrete

Function(s):
Classroom

Related Website(s):

Significant Date(s):
1964, 21st Century, 2003

Additional Information:
Project Description:
The original Santa Rita Elementary School building was completed in 1961. In 2003-2004, however, it was extensively renovated to meet the needs of today's students. The Santa Rita Elementary was honored with the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence award, entering a select group of exemplary schools. Upon renovation, the building was updated with, among others, the addition of outdoor teaching areas, and landscaping utilizing native California plants. Classrooms, such as the one in this photograph, feature clerestory windows, which allow for a diffuse light to filter through the interior, thus minimizing the need for artificial lighting, which is regulated by censors. These and other features make the building more energy-efficient than before. Overall, the building was improved to accommodate the growing student population, as well as the workplace needs of students and staff.
Los Altos, California.


Publications/Text in Print:

Graves, Ben E. School Ways: The Planning and Design of America’s Schools. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1993.

Grosvenor, Ian, and Catherine Burke. School. London: Reaktion Books, Ltd., 2008.

Hille, Thomas R. Modern Schools: A Century of Design for Education. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2011.



Significant Dates:
1964- Original building constructed
2003-2004- Renovations took place

Building Address:
700 Los Altos Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022
The United States

Tags:
classroom, school, santarita school, education, school design, california, renovated

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