Marin Country Day School Multi Purpose Facility

This private K-8 school is surrounded by Ring Mountain on the edge of San Pablo Bay with spectacular views. To preserve this natural beauty, the new Multi-Use building was carefully placed on the site, and its height and volume were minimized to retain these sight lines. The Multi-Use Building needed to serve a wide variety of uses, ranging from lunch for 500 students a day, to Akido classes, book fairs, birthday parties, and wedding receptions. The space had to withstand the heavy daily use of students and yet retain the architectural character appropriate for these other uses. This was accomplished through a simple yet elegant design, with careful use of natural materials and ample daylight. Window walls on two sides of the multi-use room could be fully opened to create a "pavilion" connecting the space with green, landscape courtyards on both sides. The courtyard to the north was redesigned to serve as the main entry of the school with a covered trellis and landscape. It includes active and quiet play areas, new play structures, an outdoor eating area, and "outdoor classroom" spaces. Inside the building there is ample natural light so that the lights are usually not needed. Many of the light fixtures are connected to occupancy or photo sensors to minimize energy use. Almost all glazing is oriented facing either north or south, with south glass well-shaded. Splayed well skylights were designed in the kitchen and toilets.