DLR Group Early Excellence Academy

The feelings of a child experiencing each moment of life are robust and alive. It is this essence of whimsy and the joy of learning that is captured in the design of the new Early Excellence Academy, a learning environment to serve the earliest learners of Tomball ISD. DLR Group’s design is rooted in biophilic elements that evoke curiosity and connection to the natural world. With a design concept centered on scale and growth, an immersive experience takes the learner through the space.

Careful consideration to create a physical environment that engages the user in their surroundings affords the learner and educator the opportunity to use the school as a tool for learning. This innovative environment inspires wonder and discovery through an educational journey that is founded in creative imagining. Research-based design strategies incorporated into each learning pod support the specific needs of early childhood learners. Each pod encourages different kinds of play. The pink pod is imaginative and teaches cooperation while allowing students to be creative. Orange teaches social awareness and collaboration when interacting with others. Green is a language-focused area where students learn letter recognition through storytelling. Purple demonstrates emotional competencies. Blue is a mathematical area that makes number recognition and shape identification fun. These color themes take students through a journey of learning that feels playful and interactive. Each space varies to allow learners to take ownership of their experience and feel comfortable in their environment.

Connections to nature in a variety of spaces engage students through color cumulation and acoustic control, stimulating their senses. Exposure to biophilic elements improves cognitive functioning and increases motor coordination while inspiring a love of nature. Long-term health and short-term comfort are critical to learning, which is why the Early Excellence Academy graphically incorporates nature into the design of the building.

Learning spaces include animal-themed furniture, forest elements, and ocean concepts while outdoor learning areas hug the exterior of the building. As each space transforms and changes, so will students. The Early Excellence Academy allows students the opportunity to grow and foster a love for learning in an immersive environment that sparks joy. Foster your wonder, discovery, and imagination as you explore the Tomball ISD Early Excellence Academy.