EDUCARE
WINNEBAGO
Winnebago // Nebraska
ELEVATING
EARLY
LEARNING
‘Nurture through Nature’ was the foundational inspiration for the new Educare School for the Winnebago Tribe. This idea grew from the immersion in the local community - listening to the storytelling of the Ho-Chunk elders and identifying historically significant moments - resulting in a concept that is sensitive and reflective of the tribe.
Throughout this exploration process two design themes emerged: path and earth. The Winnebago Tribe’s history can be traced through the earthwork they sculpted along their path and the respect for and dependence upon the earth, which is vital to the existence of the Ho-Chunk people. The importance of path and earth led to the manifestation of ‘Nurture through Nature’ in the articulation of space, both in the discovery of the site as well as through the internal experience.
The facility is organized around two educational wings that are extruded from the earth - providing protection to the natural environment beyond. Earth manipulation tucks the building into the typography, creating natural outdoor learning “rooms” for children to discover, play and learn. Each of these masses are then carved away exposing the internal program signaling a release to nature and creating outdoor spaces that are sheltered from the elements.
Users are guided to the facility through a curated path that leads one between sculpted earth mounds. A compressed entry enhances the visitors’ experience as they arrive into a welcoming, and naturally illuminated atrium - the communal hearth of the program. The branching corridors engage children through active exhibits, activating all senses for well-rounded development. These corridors lead beyond the facade - drawing one’s eye to a view of the surroundings, which is framed by the architecture.
