Discovery Elementary School
Environmental graphics and wayfinding turn Discovery Elementary School into a place where students can learn about sustainability as they move through the building.
As the first net-zero energy school in Virginia and the largest net-zero energy elementary school in the United States, Discovery needed its design to reflect its commitment to the environment. We developed a kid-centered wayfinding narrative, “Exploring Your Expanding World,” that connects each grade level to its academic curriculum and creates a building-wide learning experience.
Client
Arlington Public Schools
Location
Arlington, VA
Markets
Collaborators
We worked closely with the Discovery Elementary School team and architect to create a holistic design approach where the building itself becomes part of the learning experience. The environmental graphics reinforce the connection between sustainability, curriculum, and place, giving students opportunities to interact with and learn from their surroundings.
Purposefully themed graphics and signage guide students from their own backyard in kindergarten to the galaxy in fifth grade, creating a custom, building-wide educational experience.
Colors, icons, and educational signage feature real-world facts related to each grade-level theme, encouraging environmental stewardship and conservation.
Clear, informative signage about the building’s sustainable features gives students the knowledge to lead tours for administrators, architects, parents, and other visitors.
