News Careers Contact

Lake Mills Area School District – Elementary School

Embracing change to create a highly sustainable school with learning spaces that reach beyond the classroom

Since 2011, EUA has worked with Lake Mills Area School District in fostering community support to build a new energy efficient school. Throughout the hands-on design process, EUA challenged the teachers to think beyond how they currently use their classrooms and to think without limitations. This process and a study of existing facilities resulted in a learning neighborhood design that features transparency, flexibility, and variety, with the ability to flex for future pedagogies.

In this transformative school, learning is no longer restricted to the classroom, it happens throughout the building. EUA strategically created small group educational opportunities in circulation paths and under stairwells with flexible and built-in furniture. Throughout the media center you find cubbies and fun furniture where children can play, read, socialize and relax. 

To provide a local connection, large windows in the media center evoke an open, bright feel, tying students to the surrounding Aztalan State Park. The cafeteria’s wave-like finishes and textures represent Rock Lake. A signature mural of a tree symbolizing children’s learning path in life is featured in the lobby created by a local artist.

As one of only 122 projects participating in the LEED® v4 beta program the project team made strategic decisions with sustainable design solutions – focusing on what matters the most in regard to payback. The sustainable results centered on practical, efficient, translatable and ‘value-based’ sustainable solutions supporting the district’s mission and acting as a learning opportunity for students and staff.

Watch the video below on the impact the building is making on the student experience:


View the Case Study