School Description
Named in the spirit of the inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, Edison elementary school is located in the West Highland neighborhood of northeast Denver, at 3350 Quitman St. The West Highland neighborhood is bounded on the north by 38th Avenue, on the south by 29th Avenue, on the east by Federal Boulevard, and on the west by Sheridan Avenue. The neighborhood is only a few minutes drive from downtown, which is easily accessed by Speer Blvd. Edison Elementary is just a few blocks from the 32nd St. commercial district where many new locally-owned specialty retail businesses and restaurants are thriving. Just north of the school is 38th Avenue a major arterial street of NW Denver.
Learning Landscapes Description
A gifted and talented historic magnet school focused on invention, inspiration, and creativity, is intended as a place for children to have hands-on experience with aspects of science, literature, and art with themed “gardens” highlighting words and poetry and creating a multi-sensory experience of sounds, smells, colors, and textures.
Edison Elementary School
Construction Date
June 2004
Landscape Architect
Design Concepts
Play Equipment Vendor
Play World Systems
School Garden Sponsor
Denver Urban Gardens
Community Garden
Garden Design
Garden Photos
Master Plan
Vision
Imagine that the year is 2005. Inspired by its namesake, Thomas Alva Edison, Edison Elementary is a source of inspiration, encouraging invention and sparking creativity. It is at once part of the “natural world” and part of a human city. It is a place where the community gathers for recreation, discussion, and education. Edison provides opportunities for exploration and learning inside and outside its classrooms, acknowledging that each of us learns in our own way. Edison is a safe, colorful gathering place “owned” by the community that accommodates the needs of a single child and a community at large.
Goals
- Being a source of inspiration, invention and creativity where children love to play.
- Celebrating our human legacy of creativity and invention through a Learning Landscape that reveals aspects of science, literature, and art as experiential qualities of the place.
- Enhancing the children’s learning outside the school building through science, literature, art, and social awareness.
- Enhancing physical education and socialization skills through outdoor places.
- Creating a safe, inviting place in which the surrounding community takes pride.
- Creating a community gathering space that celebrates social/community leaders.
Design Development
Description
A gifted and talented historic magnet school focused on invention, inspiration, and creativity, is intended as a place for children to have hands-on experience with aspects of science, literature, and art with themed “gardens” highlighting words and poetry and creating a multi-sensory experience of sounds, smells, colors, and textures.
Illustrative Drawing
Design Development Drawings
Presentation Boards
Construction Documentation
Description from Architect
The theme for Edison Elementary is based on the school’s namesake and the inventor, Thomas Edison, with an educational focus on science and art. The main feature of this Learning Landscape is the Shakespeare amphitheater and performance area. The amphitheater was made possible in large part due to a generous donation by a neighborhood resident. The performance area is enhanced by a shade shelter featuring the playwright’s quotes and a Shakespeare garden containing plants referenced in various Shakespeare plays.
The shade shelter consists of brick columns with ornamentation that matches the brickwork on the historic building and a contemporary arched roof. Art in the playground is found in new banner poles and a colorful sculpture of Thomas Edison that greets students and visitors as they enter the Learning Landscape. Local artist Kristine Smock created the sculpture out of custom fabicated metal light bulbs.
Both the school and the neighbors are excited about the new sodded play fi eld and the increased options for play and socializing.
Illustrative Plan
Construction Drawings
Play Equipment
Shade Structure