RTA :: P-12 / Elementary And Preschool

Enhancing education
through design.

Whitley Central Intermediate School Buckhorn School Addition & Renovation Gallatin Co. Upper Elementary & Middle School Sherman Elementary School Whitley East Elementary School Franklin Elementary Addition & Renovation North Butler Elementary School Parker-Bennett-Curry Elementary School McBrayer Elementary School Somerset Christian School A.C. Glasscock Elementary School Bourbon County Head Start Facility Whitley City Elementary School Boston Elementary School Addition & Renovation Russell Primary School

Russell Primary School

Because the school was planned to house only preschool through the third grade, the Russell Primary School presented a unique design challenge. They key to the school’s successful design was the architect’s ability to “think small” - to create an environment appealing to young children yet practical for everyday use by parents, faculty and the community.

The exception to this was the design of the gymnasium. The Russell Independent Board of Education wanted to create a new gymnasium for the community’s use, so the gym was designed to meet high school regulations with bleacher seating to house the entire student body. The adjacent music room was given a separate entrance to the gymnasium, close to the storage for the portable stage so that the room can also function as a “green room” for student and community productions. To make community access to this area easier, both the cafeteria and gymnasium are set apart from the classroom areas and have a separate entrance that exits onto the bus loop near public parking areas.

The library/media center is located at the heart of the school and takes advantage of the two-story design to create a cathedral area with windows opening into both upper and lower story corridors. The library uses bright, lively colors and visual designs to create an exciting space for learning activities. A brightly painted storybook playhouse near the story area was planned to offer large picture books to younger children.

project location

Russell, Kentucky

client

Russell Independent Schools

details

76,693 square feet
660 students

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Enhancing education through design.

Award-Winning Design

Enhancing education
through design.