Belmonte School was dark and deteriorating and in major need of renovation. Due to a reconfiguration within the district, it needed to transform from a middle school building into an elementary school. The all-concrete structure presented many challenges including the necessity to surface mount all electrical conduit, impacting infrastructure and aesthetics. New openings in walls were to be minimal and as with many renovation projects, there were many unknowns encountered along the way. The design intent was to lighten, brighten, and inspire children and support 21st century teaching and learning. The design solution includes a suite of five STEAM classrooms for varied project-based learning opportunities. All five are aligned in a row with visual and physical access from one end to the other for optimal engagement and idea generation. Other strategies included the removal of dark walls lining the media center allowing light to flow through the heart of the school, and a three-story mural wrapping the central elevator from top to bottom, depicting a forest scene while aligning with each level’s associated color code.
Photography: Ed Wonsek ArtWorks
