schools
THE THIRD TEACHER
A society's values are reflected in the quality of its learning environments. Children have a right to learn in beautiful spaces designed specifically for them. PBW's educational work for students of all ages is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of the environment as a "third teacher," in partnership with a child's parents and school staff. Interior spaces should be filled with light and have strong visual and physical connections to the outdoors. Areas for both active and quiet pursuits should be arranged so that children of different ages may observe and learn from each other. Materials, textures, and colors should be inviting and beautiful.
HITTING THE MARK
School design begins with listening to staff, parents, students, and the supporting community. Developing a program and master plan that documents a school's current and future facility needs is critical. PBW has the experience to coordinate community outreach and synthesize the needs of various stakeholders into a coherent program.
MAXIMIZING BUDGETS
Budgets can be tight for early childhood facilities. PBW excels at creative compromises that do not diminish design goals and knows how to work with clients and contractors to create workable, cost-effective solutions.
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS
Healthy environments are conducive to learning. Superior indoor air quality through balanced mechanical systems is critical, as is access to abundant natural light, natural ventilation, durable surfaces, and non-toxic construction materials. PBW leverages extensive knowledge of building systems and careful collaboration with consultants to ensure healthy systems.
SUSTAINABILITY
We believe sustainability is integral to good design and strive to balance upfront costs with long-term efficiency and resiliency. We create beautiful, environmentally conscious buildings that serve the user and the environment.
