Cleveland Design Competition

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1. INTRODUCTION

The project proposal for the Campus International School for Downtown Cleveland illustrates the transformation of Cleveland State University's master plan for converting the area into a dense mixed-use development and with recreation fields. The quotation ''an opportunity to re-evaluate the broader terrain in which children learn and give as great an emphasis on learning environments as others have given the educational philosophies'' formed the basis for our proposal.

A key aim of the design is to produce a safe learning environment for the students. The flexible classroom design and “street” layout of the school encourages different age groups of children to meet and learn together, while the main circulation space between the classrooms, student dining, media center and recreational spaces is an additional learning hub. The proposed plan layout avoids hidden corners and blind spots, and careful thought has been given to landscaping to provide different types of outdoor play space including areas for learning, planting, quiet zones and games. Each classroom has direct access to the outdoor playgrounds and views to the surrounding buildings.

The basis of the design is centered around four clusters of education: learning, growing, recreation, and social interaction. We believe these to be the foundations of the new school vision, allowing for a complex program where students can interact with each other and the city of Cleveland. Instead of opting for a linear and continuous distribution of these four clusters, the project design proposes a combined, more playful combination of spaces through the use of curves and organic shapes.

Our vision for the Campus International School is to establish an o...

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7. ACCESSIBILITY

The building facades retrieve away from the site boundaries, allowing for open spaces that define the different entrances to the school. A student bus drop-off zone has been designated on the edge of East 18th Street, making this the only vehicular access for students, parents, staff and visitors. On the site edge along Superior Avenue there is an open space for a the GCRTA #3 bus stop. This site boundary will be accessed also by car and thus adjacent parking along Superior Avenue is considered.

An new adjacent street off East 21st Street will provide service access to the school's kitchen, storage and building services. Controlled access to this street will be provided. Access from Payne Avenue will mostly be pedestrian, and students will be expected to interact with the university campus located South of the site.

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