Lacamas Lake Elementary School

Camas School District

A replacement school for a community of 650 learners in grades K-5, the design was developed through numerous workshops with stakeholders from the district and the existing school community and based on three overarching principals: awareness of the surrounding natural environment, ‘child at the center’ and a welcoming school community.

Located on a site rich in ecologic features, including wetlands, creeks, large swaths of mature trees and direct views to Mount Hood, the new site offers ample opportunities for seamless transition between indoor and outdoor learning and play environments in a park-like setting. The play area features natural play scape elements, such as stumps, mounds, a ‘tree house,’ an amphitheater, and boulders.

A4LE Washington State Chapter, Polished Apple Award (2020) | Gold-certified Green School, Washington Green Schools (2020) | Vancouver Business Journal, TopProjects, Public Category, Second Place (2018)