Photo by Shaun Kurry

The design resembles a book on its side, with the pages represented by the horizontal bands.

Photo by Shaun Kurry

Classrooms open up to a central courtyard.

The design of this $8-million academy was inspired by the school's book-centric curriculum and reflects the form of an open book. A butterfly roof represents the book's cover, while metal panels and the linear painted bands of the building skin symbolize the pages beneath the cover. The linear window openings signify the way light illuminates the pages of a book as it is opened. Built in less than seven months, the core building includes classrooms on two levels that open to an exterior courtyard, providing students with ample natural light and a safe place to play. A second building includes a cafeteria, music room and a professional-style gymnasium. Durable polished concrete runs throughout most of the interior.

Key Players

Contractor: McCarthy Building Cos. Inc., Tempe, Ariz.

Owner: Madison Elementary School District, Phoenix

Lead Design: Orcutt | Winslow, Phoenix

Structural Engineer: Caruso Turley Scott, Tempe, Ariz.

Civil Engineer: Hess-Rountree Inc., Phoenix

MEP: Kraemer Consulting Engineers PLLC, Phoenix

Electrical Engineer: Zee Engineering, Mesa, Ariz.

Landscape Architect: Arcore Group, Phoenix

Submitted by Orcutt | Winslow