Otis Preschool Addition

This project consists of a 2,500 square foot addition to an existing 1970’s rural elementary school. The existing preschool was housed in mobile units adjacent to the school and did not provide the preschool staff or students with the amenities they needed. The addition is a spacious daylit preschool with the most fun playstructure within hundreds of miles. The limited budget was provided both by the community and multiple grants. The number of entities involved and the tight funding forced the design to be very innovative.

The exterior form was dictated both by the program and the unusual design of the existing building. The interior is dictated by preschoolers and their needs. The kitchen and toilet facilities are all kid height to provide both accessibility and learning experiences everywhere they go. The ceilings are vaulted to allow ample natural light and passive heating and cooling allowing the teacher to control her environment with natural elements rather than artificial HVAC systems for the majority of the schoolyear. The tectonics of the playstructure are left exposed. This provides the students with lessons in Architecture, Construction, and Color Theory every day, along with a great place to play and read. The response from the staff, the kids, and the parents during this first year have all been extremely positive.

Location: Otis, Colorado, Completed summer 2009

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