Learnscape: A classroom without walls
Sunflower Elementary School has an outdoor learning space, thanks to Hollis + Miller Architects. The Lenexa school’s 380 students have been using the leading-edge “classroom without walls” since the Oct. 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Teachers are taking kids out there doing all sorts of activities across the curriculum, even music,” says Sunflower principal, Ryan Kalis. “It’s generated tons of excitement and enthusiasm.”
Learnscape, the name coined by creators Hollis + Miller occupies a field on school grounds. It’s about 50 feet by 300 feet wide at the widest point and features an amphitheater with rooftop solar panels. It’s spacious and flexible enough for different options for seating a “very large group.”
“Ideally, it’s set up for one class but can accommodate two, if not three classes, depending on how teachers set up the space,” says senior project architect, Daniel Cooper.
There are magnetic vertical and horizontal writing surfaces; stone experiment tables; and tiered, pre-cast, concrete block seating benches. Durability and low maintenance were priorities.
Learnscape was designed to advance sustainability practices in ecology; water management and conservation; and alternative energy. There are seven raised plant beds – one for each grade, native grasses, a 150-gallon barrel to catch water for plants and paths of pervious materials allowing precipitation to drain into a dry creek bed lined with erosion-preventing gabion baskets. Energy collected from the solar panels charges batteries and powers electrical outlets and lights.
Learnscape not only provides Sunflower students the opportunity to connect with nature in active and passive activities, it’s also a year-round community asset.
“We’re developing final plans to make Learnscape available to students district-wide and scout and other Sunflower-affiliated groups,” says Joan Leavens, coordinator of sustainability and community engagement for the Shawnee Mission School District.
Sunflower Elementary and neighborhood families have access to Learnscape on weekends, Kalis says.
A 22-year educator, he supported the project from the beginning. “It shows learning happens in different environments and spaces,” he says.
This is the sixth Learnscape Hollis + Miller has created for a metro area school. As part of its local philanthropy, the firm has done a signature Learnscape every year.
“The design isn’t a prototype,” Cooper says. “They share similarities, but each Learnscape is a unique, personalized learning environment, specific to that client.”
The firm reached out to district officials early this year, and by spring plans were underway. Hollis + Miller invited Sunflower students and teachers to their headquarters for their input.
“We took a couple staff members and 30 students randomly selected from grades 3-6 and took part in a design charrette,” Kalis says. “The kids got to work with professionals, create 3D models and learn all about the jobs involved. It really generated excitement.”
In July, Hollis + Miller closed its office and moved everybody to Sunflower, taking 27.1 tons of rock, generators, tools, power saws, concrete and more. They moved earth, hauled rocks and constructed Learnscape. It was a unique experience for architects and interns to participate in all project phases.
“It was very rewarding because we got to see the excitement of teachers and students and get the whole office involved,” Cooper says.
“They were very, very generous,” Leavens says. “We’re grateful to them for this outstanding, real-world learning site.”
“Learnscape will be used for a long, long time,” Kalis says. “Hollis + Miller is a really incredible, phenomenal company to collaborate with. We all learned so much.”
