Wallace Design Collective

Western Gateway Elementary School was designed as a 380-student pre-kindergarten, through fourth-grade elementary school located on the south side of Oklahoma City. Located on the boundary between two neighborhoods the school is dual immersion, promoting academic performance through language learning in both English and Spanish. The school cultivates an environment of cultural awareness, empowering students to actively succeed in a global community.

Opening their doors for the first time on August 18th, 2021, the single-story school addresses a key intersection with an articulated brick façade and prominent corner entrance. Wallace provided structural engineering services for this new 38,000 square foot elementary school. Internally the school is arranged around a 6,700 square foot courtyard which creates a secure and safe space for collaborative learning and play. This arrangement also provides protection from the strong Oklahoma wind and summer sun, allowing the space to be used year-round, connecting the children with nature and the changing seasons. All classrooms within the school are flexible with large open spaces benefiting from dual aspect natural light and more intimate spaces for individual or group learning.

Photography: ©Eric Schmid Photography