Relay Elementary School

A focus on collaboration, community, flexibility, and identity led the design of the new Relay Elementary School. Organized into grade-level neighborhoods, communities of learners and teachers are created within the central commons space, a flexible and open area for differentiated instruction and problem-based learning. Neighborhoods are delineated by interior and exterior color selections—one color for each grade level—to enhance student wayfinding and promote a sense of identity.  

Designed to be the heart of the school, the centrally-located media center brings all students together to learn within its flexible and varied collaboration spaces. Taking advantage of natural daylighting, the center merges the indoors and out and expands the learning environment through an outdoor learning classroom. Located adjacent to the media center, the grand stair commons serves as the central organizing element connecting all core learning spaces including an outdoor classroom terrace.