Project Portfolio • Corning Union Elementary School District

Outdoor Learning Commons • Maywood DaVinci Middle School

Budget: $200,000
Learning Space Designer: Doug McIntosh
Account Manager: Dean Smith
Furniture Manufacturer: Palmer Hamilton

Project Design

Project Description

At Maywood DaVinci Middle School, three solar array panels had been built and installed in what had been outdoor basketball courts with an asphalt surface.

D&D Learning Spaces was tasked to transform this area into an outdoor learning commons under the three solar arrays. D&D’s design included a variety of durable outdoor furniture that was surface-mounted in concrete to accomindate multi-function activities. Teachers could use this area as an outdoor learning enivornment for at least 2-3 classrooms of students.

Central to the design was a half-circle three-tiered above ground cement amphitheater with access to electricity from the solar panels. The backside of the amphitheater has a sloping artificial turf knoll.

This unique learning environment was purposely designed with a variety of small to large group configurations for students to gather informally as well. There are two concrete table tennis tables and all of the circle and square tables have an embossed chessboard square as the school has an active chess playing community of students.

This commons area also serves as an excellent outdoor dining area where students or even community members could use these facilities in a variety of events.