Innovation Elementary School

Innovation Elementary School in Manassas, Virginia, addresses the challenge of accommodating a growing student population on a limited 19-acre site. The three-story school maximizes the use of space for 800 students. The school’s layout prioritizes collaboration and flexibility. A central two-story collaborative learning area, bathed in natural light from expansive windows and a skylight, encourages interaction and teamwork. The design also fosters creativity and exploration through a media center, a makerspace for hands-on learning, and an art room with a dedicated roof terrace that invites students to connect with nature while they create.

Sustainability is a key focus. The strategic placement of windows, skylights, and clerestories maximizes natural light, which reduces the need for artificial lighting and creates a bright and welcoming atmosphere. Solar shades and diffusing glazing control glare and heat gain, ensuring a comfortable environment. The school’s exterior, with its clean lines and blend of masonry and metal panels, complements the surrounding community. Its location on a former park site provides accessible outdoor spaces for both students and residents to enjoy.

Innovation Elementary School sets a new standard for school design in Prince William County. It demonstrates how thoughtful design can create an environment that inspires and supports learning while making efficient use of resources. The success of this project has led to its replication for another school, solidifying its legacy as a model for future educational facilities.

The Innovation Elementary School was awarded LEED Silver Certification in 2023 and emphasizes strategies of energy efficiency and enhanced indoor environmental quality. Upon prioritization of interior lighting, thermal comfort, and quality views, the school additionally achieved the LEED Pilot credit, Quality Views in Non-Regularly Occupied Spaces. This demonstrates a commitment to designing for the occupant's physical comfort and mental wellbeing. With the student and teachers' health and wellness in mind, the LEED Innovation credit Design for Active Occupants was also awarded, as the space encourages movement, while also promoting social and creative behaviors through the abundance of natural light and a central social staircase. 

Architectural Photography by: Studio HDP