Indian Creek Local Schools is a district that has struggled with socio-economic challenges. This drives their progressive mindset toward individual advancement through high performance, student-centered learning. Serving grades PreK-4, Cross Creek Elementary focuses on creating grade level “neighborhoods” to build a sense of belonging, pride and community…a HOME.

Connecting with the community, the exterior concept was inspired by the shale formations endemic to Wintersville, Ohio. This building mimics the geological layering with its low, horizontal forms and earth-toned brick. Bright, vibrant exterior colors blend with the interior colors to create an inviting, joyful presence.

The exterior is centered around safety, with a main drive forking into two paths for buses and vehicles. The bus lane offers convenient access, removed from vehicular traffic. This bus loop doubles as a playground during the day with gates that fully enclose the area. Cars and buses then exit on the opposite side, following specifically chosen exits that provide the best visibility of the winding, hilly road.

The hub of the building is a two-story cafeteria with expansive glass and outdoor access. Stretching out from there, classrooms are arranged around large extended learning areas, creating “neighborhoods” with glass garage doors that offer open site lines to learning. These ELAs facilitate a community approach to each grade level and provide additional space for student learning that would otherwise be under-utilized in a traditional corridor approach. Moveable walls further student connections by offering large and small gathering spaces for educational activities.

Cross Creek Elementary’s exterior and interior incorporate sustainability and well-being to enhance the user experience, increase student engagement through choice, and improve educational tools for educators. Because of this attention to sustainable design, the elementary earned LEED Silver Certification.

The early years in and outside of school are vital to childrens’ mental health and cognitive development. Because of the socio-economic burdens within the district, there is an additional need for safe spaces, calming colors, and sensorial experiences to give them a sense of control and place. The elementary captures these design elements by introducing colors that suppress stress; biophilic forms to connect to nature; and the ability to earn grade level identity “badges”.

Water has proven to offer a sense of calm. The interior plays off this concept by creating graphics and utilizing materials that use water and nature. The interior depicts the experience a child would have moving through the water cycle like a single water droplet, starting in a creek and ending as precipitation. Each grade level represents a stage along the water cycle, providing each child with an intimate community within the larger school community.

Warm wood tones and conceptually painted trees and mountains nod to nature within the built environment, promoting cognitive development and lowering stress levels. Wood slat walls bring the scale down, creating a more intimate community. Mobile furniture and seating variety encourage interactions.

Technology was integrated throughout for learning success, giving teachers the tools to enhance the students’ educational success and offer opportunities many do not get at home.

Design: SōL Harris/Day Architecture
Design Team: Domenic Ferrante, Burt Marzley, Julie Ziga, Jeff Hardy, Abigail Maurer
Photography: Todd Biss Productions