Civano Community School

The Civano Community School is a charter K-8 school in which the parents are actively involved in curricular activities, descision making, fundraising and outreach programs.  Because of that nature, parents were often found congregated in the school entrance well after the class bell had rung, usually discussing some topic related to school events, but often time just simply chatting and catching up with each other.  A regular parents coffee morning was organized, but the main entrance square was sorely lacking any kind of comfort or ambiance.  The teachers decided, since the parents are such an integral part of the schools success, to give them AND the students a place to gather, be comfortable and visit with each other.

Following are pix of  the school as it was before.......

 Basic........

Boring............                                                              

Blah......





Working with a small budget, the teachers and staff asked me to design a space that would be comfortable and beautiful for parents, yet stand up to the rigors of everyday use by the students, not to mention the harsh desert conditions.  I came up with solutions that pleased both the parents and the student body and really give the school a unique, beautiful and practical approach to everyday use.

Using corrugated metal, outdoor fabric, paint and creativity the space is given a new life.

A simple mural gives a drab wall a shot of color and interest.....

....while painting the bike rack red brings it forward against the beige building, newly clad in horizontal corrugated metal.

A handmade glass and mirror mosaic sign hangs at the entrance, welcoming everyone as they start their day.

What I'm most proud of is the fact that not only did I design it, I personally executed every single element that went into this design, single-handedly, with kids in tow, in 108 degree heat during the student summer break.  I procured all the supplies, I built the new half wall that serves as a backrest for one of the benches, I built the benches, I sewed all the banners, cushion and pillow covers, I hung the corrugated metal siding that runs the length of the building, I painted the mural, I did the mirror mosaic on the window surrounds, including cutting the mirror itself into squares and rectangles and I made the welcome sign using plywood, back painted glass and cut mirror.  It was not an easy task, but I learned a great deal along the way and will be forever grateful for the opportunity the school provided me.