Saint Paul Public Schools
RiverEast K-8 Special Education Center Relocation
Saint Paul, Minn.
Side of Design Podcast: Redefining the Special Education Environment
At the first new school for Saint Paul Public Schools in 20 years, BWBR planned and designed RiverEast to provide a therapeutic, supportive, and safe educational environment for K-8 students in the federal level 4 Individual Education Program. Through carefully selected design elements, the adapted industrial-building-turned-school prepares students to rejoin their community schools with the social, behavioral, and academic tools needed to succeed.
The building is organized around learning communities that house calming classrooms and specialized spaces that promote a healing learning environment. Each learning community features break out rooms to provide space for therapy and individual learning, along with small group rooms to support community and cooperation. Markerboards for graffiti art as well as exterior play and green space encourage students to freely express themselves.
BWBR’s Human-Centered Safety® focus put the needs of students and teachers at the center of the design. Secure access into the facility and to internal learning communities are elegantly integrated to allow learning to shine over security. Spaces are layered from classroom to community room to hallways that give staff levels of intervention for students who need to regain control of their bodies and minds. Durable and flexible furnishings allow the spaces to adapt to the needs of staff and students and eliminate the rigidity that could challenge this unique population.
Size: 80,000 sq. ft. renovation; 35,000 sq. ft. new construction
Components: Intuitive entrance and pathways; large, dedicated spaces for each learning community, such as calming rooms, sensory rooms, and learning spaces; strategically placed mechanical and lighting systems to limit audio and visual distractions; specialized spaces for arts, life skills, media center, school store, gym, and indoor play; dedicated playground for students
Completion: 2018
Brian Buchholz (retired)
Steve Berg
Steve Erickson (retired)
Miriam Figueroa
Laura Flynn
Sam Griesgraber
Jeff Griesinger (retired)
Chelsea Reimer King
Hanna Kuehl
Ron Laughlin (retired)
Matt Sletten