The Outdoor School at Finley Wildlife Refuge is designed for Montessori classes to inhabit during week long retreats. The building is clearly distinct from what and where students learn in a typical school environment. On campus students are able to learn through experience. By interacting directly with nature and passive building design and discovering the impact building construction can have on the environment. Ultimately aiming to introduce sustainability into mainstream education.
Main Building Plan
Lodging Plans
Every element of architecture becomes a tool to navigate the land. Guests discover the building as they approach from the top of a hiking trail. From this view the building is completely submerged below the landscape. All that is visible is the habitable green roof which is entirely accessible. As guest approach they discover their school below the horizon.
There are no stairs on site, allowing equitable accessibility for all.
Uphill approach
Uphill approach
Downhill approach
Structurally, the building uses rammed earth, earth berm, and double stud walls to provide as much passive heating and cooling as possible.
Structural Analysis
