The program required that the new elementary school be designed to connect to an existing middle school so that each could share the gymnasium and kitchen facilities. This required the design of a three-story structure on a steeply sloping site. The architecture took advantage of the site slope by designing the building into the hillside and incorporating a ramp to allow access directly to each of the three floors from grade. Brick patterns are used to manipulate the scale of the new building and project a friendly character to visitors. By using brick to match the existing building and introducing a new brick color, the new elementary school harmonizes with the middle school, yet maintains its own identity.
