The Design Team worked closely with the Head of School, Board, facilities, finance, teachers and families to envision a renovation for the eastern portion of the 100+ year-old campus. Through a series of meetings, analysis of the site, and proposed designs the team developed a final plan.

The proposed plan will provide the Peninsula School with ecologically responsible buildings that are tucked amongst the mixed oak woodland with subspaces for the preschool, K-2, and after school programs. The layout of the site and proposed program manifests the school’s values with immersive nature, open-ended play opportunities, integrated and flexible outdoor curriculum elements, and the ability for older students to move among the campus subspaces. Stormwater water features, planting, topography, and subtle fencing collectively shape the subspaces for each program. The yards flow from the indoor classrooms with tilt-up garage doors to the patios and shared porches, and into the natural landscape where play and learning elements are integrated along the dry creek, into the mounds, and around the trunks of mature oaks creating a nurturing space that invites curiosity throughout the school day and school year.

The process included code review, arborist reports, cost estimates, questionnaires, and workshops to ensure that the design works from a nuts and bolts perspective while encapsulating the school community’s vision.

Location
Menlo Park, CA

Client
Peninsula School

Size
3 Ac.

Status
In permitting