Rutherford Elementary School is located in the fields that surround Stillwater, a historic river town on the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

The K-6 school is a member of the surrounding neighborhood, and respects the community in both its character and scale. From the outside, it is a collage of shapes, texture, color, and materials, a profile of the bygone village with its tight community bonds. Each section, made of a different material, relates to a specific activity inside. Care was taken to make sure that the building would not dominate the landscape, and that it would blend with the traditional homes being built nearby.

Wetlands, ponds, and native plantings are connected by a“trail of learning.” This path surrounds the 16-acre school grounds and provides opportunities for outdoor learning experiences. It also connects other components such as parking, circulation, playgrounds, and ballfields.