© Peter Molick Photography
- Architects: Derrington Building Studio
- Location: Austin, TX, USA
- Architect In Charge: Heath Henderson
- Area: 3432.0 ft2
- Project Year: 2015
- Photographs: Peter Molick Photography
- General Contractor: American Constructors
- Civil Engineer: Thompson Land Engineering
- Structural Engineer: Structures
- Mep Engineer: EEA Consulting Engineers
© Peter Molick Photography
From the architect. In 2013, the Khabele School purchased a 4-acre property with an existing daycare facility to expand their rapidly growing elementary program.
© Peter Molick Photography
In the school’s initial meeting with Derrington Building Studio principal, Tim Derrington, their directive was simple—design the campus as “a village in the forest.” The school’s limited budget and tight schedule, along with the site’s sensitive environmental restrictions, posed unique challenges.
Floor Plan – Elevation
Derrington Building Studio translated this vision for Khabele’s progressive community into architecture through a crisp play on Central Texas vernacular.
© Peter Molick Photography
The new building facade unites the campus by incorporating an existing masonry pattern from their prominent existing kindergarten building.
© Peter Molick Photography
Circulation extracted from the interior and brought to the exterior capitalizes on the local climate while minimizing ground cover. This also maximizes the classroom spaces and obliges interaction with the surrounding elements.
© Peter Molick Photography
This open spatial experience and natural material palette creates an inviting learning environment that fosters growth for students’ minds and well-being.
