The project recently received two recognition’s including a AIA Central PA Citation Design Award and an American School & University Education Interiors Showcase 2019 Outstanding Design Award. Winding Creek Elementary is a product of the Districts rapidly increasing enrollment, making eight elementary schools district-wide. The new 142,000 square foot building, designed for a K-5 grade alignment, will also be considered one of the lowest cost per square foot schools in PA by the Department of Education for the year it was constructed.
The AIA Central PA Design Awards were held at Rock Lititz in Lancaster in early October, the jury was the Boston Society of Architects (AIA Boston). Mike Willis, Director of Business and Support Services from the Cumberland Valley School District attended the event to receive the award along with CRA team members. The Jury had the following comments:
Winding Creek Elementary School is laudable for its main-street approach to organization and circulation. The building-long corridor provides generous space for movement, gathering, and supervision. Open, friendly spaces for flexible learning branch from this main spine, defined by color in refined and subtle ways, without “designing down” to children. The school’s windows capture compelling views of the landscape, and bring light into the already-airy interior spaces. Maximizing the impact of a limited budget, the design combines a repetitive planning module with a deft handling of space, tectonics, and materials to produce a space that feels vibrant, rich, and varied.
The American School and University Educational Interior Showcase 2019 grants national recognition to school projects. This industry leading and industry shaping awards program, in its third decade, has showcased some of the most outstanding school and university interior environments. It is a great honor for one of the District’s newest building to be recognized. CRA strongly believes that educational interiors play a huge role in contributing to the success of the students that occupy them.
Pictured: Richard LeBlanc (CRA), Anthony Colestock (CRA), Mike Willis (CV School District), Kelsey Leed (CRA), Rona Augustine (CRA)
To learn more about the project, visit the Winding Creek project page on our website.
Digital Issue Link: https://secure.viewer.zmags.com/publication/f0a2d8f9#/f0a2d8f9/51
