Gateway Environmental K-8

Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center was a repeat of the prototype K-8 facility designed for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The prototype design delivered a school comprised of a series of “protoparts:” modular classroom buildings, an assembly building and an administration/media building linked by “connectors” containing staircases, mechanical rooms, toilets and other support spaces. A variety of connector modules was provided creating classroom buildings which can respond to varying site conditions and configurations. The schools were designed with interchangeable materials and façades to blend with the environmental context and communities in which they are located. The Fine Arts and Dining module components include an Avenue of the Arts—a black box theater, two- and three-dimensional art rooms, and the band and chorus departments. The hallway or Avenue has gallery walls and is flooded with light to celebrate the students’ work. Huge garage doors open from the fine arts classrooms to show the exhibit space, to combine the learning spaces, corridor and the out of doors, and to allow these spaces to be shared with the community. The cafetorium is essentially a performing arts space. Food service is provided as a “cyber café” with al fresco dining that extends the café to the outside, engaging the outdoor environment.