Indian Hill Exempted Village School District worked with MSA Design to reimagine their existing Primary School. This project involved renovations and additions to the existing 1960s era Primary School building with a focus on improving overall safety and security, expanding and enhancing community spaces, supporting STEM and project-based learning, and ensuring the success of the school for the next 50+ years.
Primary goals included making the building more welcoming and inviting for young students who are just beginning their journey of learning, transforming the identity of the school to better align with the District’s brand and mission, inspiring students and sparking curiosity, appealing to all senses and the whole student, and connecting to nature and the outdoors.
The project consists of a new main entry addition along with extensive renovations to several areas throughout the existing Primary School, including the front offices, multi-purpose room, Performance Center, dining and food services. The new entry addition transformed the appearance of the school while improving security and serving as the gateway into the world of learning beyond. The Primary School achieved the prestigious STEM designation from the state of Ohio as a result of the innovative teaching, learning, and facility upgrades.
Reconfigured and re-imagined community spaces including the sensory playhouse, and dining commons, encourage students to explore and engage with the environments around them. The custom-built sensory playhouse features multi-dimensional graphics of native species of the surrounding region. An interactive textural wall with move-able insects is also included for students to engage with. Well-integrated, age-appropriate graphics and interior elements enhance the spaces and further inspire students to continue their path of discovery and passion for learning.
Increased natural light, upgrades to the building envelope, and replacement of finishes and furniture with sustainable, green materials greatly improved the health and well-being of the students, faculty and staff helped achieve the District’s sustainability goals.
