Page 30 - School Planning & Management, November 2017

INTERIORS
4. Circulation and Wellness
Wellness is a key benefit of learning stairs as they encourage and promote physical activity and circulation, create routine travel breaks and increase opportunities for social interaction. In cli- mates where outdoor access is not an option during various times of the year, learning stairs can provide a convenient means of ac- tive transportation and exercise. They incorporate all parts of the WELL building condition on Interior Fitness Circulation, which ad- dresses health in the built environment and encourages wellness.
Examples of Learning Stairs
Anthem PK-8, Broomfield, Colo.
This new preschool through eighth-grade school is being built on a 13-acre site in Broomfield, Colorado adjacent to a planned community of about 2,600 residential units. The 142,000 square- foot, multi-level school will serve between 900 — 1,000 students and is slated to become the first school in the Denver Metro Area certified under the CHPS Verified Leader program, which demon- strates that a school has met one of the most stringent standards for green school design.
A learning stair is being constructed as part of the school’s com- mitment to student health and wellbeing and creating connections within the school and the community. The staircase connects the cafeteria to the main level with an open library concept that in- cludes an upper level area for middle school students and break out areas in the classroom wings. It will also be available for joint com- munity use.
North Dorchester High School, Hurlock, Md.
This new, two-story replace- ment school is located on the northeast corner of the site al- lowing the high school and ad- jacent middle school to anchor this large community asset. The school is designed around a large “town hall” community space, off of which are the gymnasium, cafeteria, community wellness center and learning commons. Linking the second-floor learn- ing commons and the main level town hall space is a large learn- ing stair. Serving as both circula- tion and presentation space, the learning stair also gives students a place to gather and socialize.
The concept of learning stairs has gained great mo-
mentum in K-12 spaces, such as North Dorchester High School and Anthem PK-8, as it focuses on a variety of the principles of 21st-century design — collabo- ration, flexibility, creativity and wellness. These successful pub- lic spaces are shaping countless opportunities where students, faculty and the greater commu- nity can gather and thrive. SPM
>>Adele Willson, AIA, LEED AP, and Peter Winebrenner, AIA, LEED AP, REFP, are principals with Hord Coplan Macht. Reach them at awillson@hcm2.com or pwinebrenner@hcm2.com.
30 SCHOOL PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / NOVEMBER 2017
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