Horace Mann Elementary School

Horace Mann Elementary School accommodates students from kindergarten to fifth grade on its 71,000 sf site near historic downtown San Jose. The campus houses classrooms, an administration wing, a library with an expanded media center, and unassigned or ‘lab’ classrooms to be outfitted for special uses. In an effort to foster community involvement in the school, the program was augmented to include public-serving amenities such as a multi-purpose hall for lectures, plays, and other community gatherings. The new buildings respond to the urban context, stepping from one to three stories in height, while the various courtyards, turf play areas, terraces, and gathering spaces provide a visual link between the school and the larger community. The organization of the buildings is designed to maximize natural light access and ventilation for all occupants, contributing to a high-quality learning and work environment.

Associate Architect: BFGC Architects Planners Inc.
Photography: Alan Karchmer