Architecture / Immersive Environments

Montgomery Elementary — Renovation

Montgomery Elementary School2023 · Completed

Children reading in circular yellow niches integrated into timber library shelves. — Completed reading niches offer smaller spaces within the learning commons.

Completed school library with varied seating, timber shelves, circular niches and a presentation area. — The learning commons supports several ways of learning together.

Students gathered around a small presentation platform in the library. — Presentation and reading share one flexible setting.

Students work at computers below large Media Lab lettering. — The completed media lab opens onto the learning commons.

A curved timber stage and blue seats frame the Bearcat Den. — The Bearcat Den creates another setting for gathering and presentation.

A timber ceiling and circular lights mark the gym entrance. — A renewed gym entrance carries the shared material language through the school.

The original library with freestanding shelves and a flat ceiling. — Before renovation: existing school interior.

The original open school lobby with drinking fountains and painted walls. — Before renovation: existing school interior.

A renovation that uses a learning commons, presentation spaces, and playful architectural elements to support curiosity, confidence, and belonging throughout an existing school.

My contribution

I developed the overall design vision for the library, learning and collaboration spaces, feature walls, and student-focused environments, using each intervention to reinforce identity and participation.

How can a school help every child feel confident enough to take the stage?

Library transformation

A place to gather

Space for participation and retreat

A flexible learning commons supports reading, media, collaboration, and presentation at the same time. Reading niches offer quieter settings while an open platform makes sharing ideas a visible part of daily learning.

Confidence through small opportunities

Stages and presentation areas give students repeated opportunities to speak, perform, and show their work. Oversized forms, warm wood, playful color, and integrated lighting create an inviting setting.

A shared identity

Feature walls, graphics, and student amenities connect previously disconnected areas. The design language is imaginative without relying on a single literal theme.

Collaboration & credits

Practice: PBK.
Photography is credited as unknown in the source portfolio.
Confirm project location, full team credits, and image-use permissions before publication.

Image credits & source notes

Completed reading niches offer smaller spaces within the learning commons.
Photographer unknown in source portfolio; credit and permission to be confirmed.
The learning commons supports several ways of learning together.
Photographer unknown in source portfolio; credit and permission to be confirmed.
Presentation and reading share one flexible setting.
Edited image from supplied portfolio assets; photographer and editing details to be confirmed.
The completed media lab opens onto the learning commons.
Additional image from the supplied project archive. Photographer or visualization author and publication permission to be confirmed.
The Bearcat Den creates another setting for gathering and presentation.
Additional image from the supplied project archive. Photographer or visualization author and publication permission to be confirmed.
A renewed gym entrance carries the shared material language through the school.
Additional image from the supplied project archive. Photographer or visualization author and publication permission to be confirmed.
Before renovation: existing school interior.
Existing-condition photograph embedded in the supplied portfolio; photographer unknown.
Before renovation: existing school interior.
Existing-condition photograph embedded in the supplied portfolio; photographer unknown.

Source: supplied portfolio and additional project archive. Portfolio reference: PDF pages 28–37. Dates and status reflect that document. Individual roles are presented within the credited collaborative team.

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