Colorful Past, Bright Future

The colorful acoustic "clouds" that punctuate the main corridor at Binion Elementary School are actually an integral part of what makes this school's future so bright. They are part of a series of purposefully designed elements that helped transform the building into a teaching instrument from the start of the school's unique construction process.


When the original facility became undersized and near the end of its useful life a new replacement school was built on the same site-while the original school remained in session. The process offered first-hand lessons to curious students about design and construction. On several occasions the architect and contractor team presented to all-school assemblies, with subcontractors also explaining their work and trade.



The new facility is L-shaped in plan to fit around the original building. An interior, L-shaped "patio" works as a paved play area and doubles as a gated pick-up and drop-off lane in the mornings and afternoons. The new building provides an effective buffer to what has transformed from a country lane into a busy street. With the older school demolished, a new playground now faces the community. The future is very bright, indeed.