Explore! Community School
EducationExplore! Community School

Nashville,Tennessee
New Construction
Size: 85,858 SF

Explore! Community School
Explore! Community School
Explore! Community School
Explore! Community School
Explore! Community School
Explore! Community School
Explore! Community School

The 85,858 square-foot K-8 Explore! Community School features 36 classrooms, art, science and music rooms, small group rooms, a dining room, library and office space, plus ample makerspace. Each grade-level includes a pod of 4 classroom spaces with an accompanying break-out space between the corridor and the classrooms for small-group pull-out sessions. Flexible classroom spaces feature exposed painted steel structure with hanging acoustical ceiling clouds/LED light fixtures, expansive markerboard paint walls, and furniture that can be configured in a variety of ways. Hallways are thoughtful and functional, with places for student artwork, permanent displays, wall graphics, and 3-D artwork/trophies in glass displays. Kindergarten and first grade classrooms have direct access to exterior play areas designed for younger students. The dining room can accommodate 300 and is designed as a multipurpose room that can be used for school functions and community events.

The exterior is comprised of insulated metal wall panels in school colors that create a unique civic architecture and provide a high thermal envelope (R-value) for heating and cooling efficiency. In a nod to the adjacent Martha O’Bryan Center, brick veneer complements the vibrant panels. Stair towers provide an attractive and recognizable visual cue, making wayfinding easy for students biking and walking to the school. A separate administration and support building is reminiscent of the one-room school house and is a motif that can be easily replicated on the school's interior court if future additional space is needed.

  • Team
  • Team 5
    Team 5Linda Mark, RA, CDT, CCCA

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  • Mas Tacos
    favorite local hangout
  • project quotes and notes
  • There is no shortage of great places to eat in East Nashville. If you are ever there during lunch, stop by Mas Tacos and be sure to order the chicken tortilla soup with your favorite taco. Yum.