Designing for Impact on a School

At Page, our vision is “Design that makes lives better”. A team of Page volunteers just completed a great example designed to benefit an elementary school near Dallas Love Field Airport. This effort was part of the annual AIA Dallas RETROSPECT exhibition that demonstrates how regional architects make Dallas a better place to live, work, and play.

The theme for the 2018 RETROSPECT challenge was “Impact”. The Page team met with Stephen C. Foster Elementary School Principal Irma De Laguardia and and instructors, including first grade teacher Takeila Berkins, to learn more about their needs before brainstorming something functional. The administrators knew they wanted something that could be used by the entire school.

As story time is a big hit with the students, the Page team conceived of a bi-folding library bench that students can sit - and read - on. Books can be stored within the bench in cubbies that are organized by colors, each representing a grade level.

The school’s motto, “Work Hard, Get Smart, Go to College”, is engraved on the side. Every time students walk down the hall they will be reminded to set their goals high. From the exterior courtyard looking in, a figure of an open book will be visible on the rear side of the bench.

The Page Library Bench can be viewed in the above gallery of images beginning with a rendering of the concept through installation as well as in person at NorthPark Center near Dillard’s and Corner Bakery.