Lamplighter Montessori School

Lamplighter Montessori School is a free-standing addition to an existing school. Tucked away in the school’s own corner of nature, the addition’s building form mimics that of the existing gabled structure and serves as a learning tool through its expression of structure and systems within the classrooms. The addition includes three classrooms, a sensory room, a nap room, a library, a maker’s space, a teacher’s lounge, and other support spaces. Additionally, each classroom has its own restroom, hand sink, and counter space for various activities. The classroom and learning spaces are equipped with the space and design features necessary to support the Montessori method of teaching.

The design concept began with the idea of replicating the simple gable form of the main, existing building on site. The programmatic spaces within the addition are divided along a double-loaded corridor with one-half of the building rotated at an angle to address entry from the parking lot, bypassing the existing building. The resulting triangular interior space serves as a figured void housing circulation and unprogrammed learning space. Its vaulted space is designed to create an inverse form of what could be perceived as a child-like drawing or idea of a schoolhouse. Materiality is extremely cost-effective and consists primarily of fiber-cement cladding. Throughout the design, to aid in the teaching and understanding of the building. Elements are painted using specific colors to highlight differing spaces and add unique aspects to the design of the building. Within the classrooms, the roof structure is exposed which offers the children a greater understanding of how the structure of a building is assembled. Additionally, the exposed wooden trusses become learning tools, offering examples of geometry to children learning within the space.