Tollgate Elementary is a public school in Aurora, CO with an expeditionary learning model. Housed in an original 1980's building, the challenge of the design was adapting the facility to a modern, hands-on, exploratory culture with access to nature and collaborative spaces. These spaces, new and existing, were designed with ample access to natural day-lighting. Due to the unique teaching model, we wanted the building itself to become a hands-on teaching tool. This was accomplished with the incorporation of interactive butterfly gardens, an outdoor learning terrace, windows in the elevator shafts and a student-run information desk. The facility evokes a welcoming relationship with the local community by opening visually and physically into the adjacent neighborhood park.
