O.W. Dillon Elementary
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Location
Kentwood, Louisiana -
Owner
Tangipahoa Parish School System -
Completion Date
2013 -
Awards
- CEFPI Design Award
The new O.W. Dillon Elementary School incorporates several innovative strategies to create optimal learning environments. The initial challenge was not
solely to provide a standard educational facility but to re-evaluate space-planning that activated the school and increase contact time between educators
and students. With O.W. Dillion Elementary School being in an under served community, the proposed solution to this challenge was focusing the design process
towards leadership and empowerment. To enable the building to become an integral tool for learning, with the help of the school administration, H/S developed
a theme for O.W. Dillon Elementary based on leadership by incorporating graphics, quotes, and spaces dedicated to local, national and global leaders. H/S
reached out to community members and students asking them to submit quotes from their favorite heroes and leaders to create the graphics that would be
displayed throughout the entire school. Seeing the quotes daily will instill a level of discovery and encouragement for students from pre-k- 6th grade.
Involving the community to take ownership of their school not only empowered the community but activated the school with a spirit of strength for future
young minds and educators. The New Elementary School for O.W Dillon Elementary provides learning facilities for approximately 500 students in grades pre-k
through 6th. The layout of the plan is separated into three wings, each of which is anchored by a large programmatic function; administration, media center,
and cafetorium. Because of the significantly contoured site, the three wings are incrementally stepped down a hill. The wings are connected with transparent
ramped corridors. Each of these helps to create a courtyard space which is used as an outdoor hard surface play area. The classrooms are particularly special
because of their “fat-L” configuration. This layout allows for flexibility in learning environments and various activity areas. The corridors are widened
periodically to allow for “out of class” activity space and display area. The exterior design capitalizes on expressive qualities of brick detailing as
Kentwood is widely known for is brick production industry.