Curtis School STEAM

I designed the interior space for Curtis School STEAM building in 2022 while I was with Pica+Sullivan architects. Say thank you to Joe and Maureen for getting the office such great client. The design was finalized since early 2023, and the rests are CDs and application process.

Codes applied to classroom spaces are more stringent than those to residential. Educational space needs to be safe for our future generation. Safety always come as the top priority. T bar ceiling needs to be tied secure to ceiling and try to minimize structural and fire hazards in event of earthquake or fire.

Standard elements in classrooms are T bar ceiling, tile size TBD, acoustical quality TBD depending on our acoustical requirement, lights ( suspended lights with up lights ), spacing and lumens pending on lighting designs. wall space: wall talker, white boards, tac boards, cabinets, storages. Floors: we normally do LVT these days. Sometimes I like to talk to material supplier vendors and hear about the latest trends. Always a good thing to keep a fresh eye in the market.

Doors: solid wood door with or without side light, or with or without vision glass. aluminum frame storefront door like Arcadia door, hollow metal door for utility rooms and bathrooms, door frame usually are hollow metal door frame. Area of glasses is determined by fire rating level of the corridor in code book. But generally this is my standard door palette for classrooms.

Outlets and equipment plugs need to be coordinated with school equipment list, if there are high horsepower equipment to be used in the project then I will need to inform electrical engineer as well. Generally outlets are placed 18″ above wall.

Classroom counters are 34″ tall. ADA cabinets have toekick attached to the cabinet door so that a wheelchair can roll in. Science classroom uses epoxy top, while other classrooms use plastic laminate. I normally source plastic laminate form Wilsonart.

Then we will think about furniture colors and wall colors. Furniture style relies heavily on teaching style of that teacher who will be in that classroom. But a lot of times, private school teacher leave their job every 3-4 years. Teacher’s opinions are important, but we would also like to think of designing a timeless space that is flexible and comes in convenience for future teacher of that room. There are so many styles I can think of right now for furniture. Smith systems is one that’s used a lot.

These are standard thoughts in my mind when I start to design classrooms. Of course. there are things like speakers, clocks, fire alarms, exit signs, PA system from fire, sprinklers, mechanical registers, access panels, plumbing, drains when there are sinks. But these elements come after the design, and will be tucked in the space as low key elements. Those are the things we want to mute in the space.

wow. I think classrooms design is simple, but look how much I typed so far. I just typed out my design template, and anything beyond will add character to that specific classroom. Of course, we work with teachers and schools to hear their need and voice. Eventually it is the teacher and the kids who use the space.

I am so happy to be able to design space for our future. so blessed.