Academic Beginnings Center, Levelland, Texas

Levelland Independent School District

The Academic Beginnings Center is unique to the South Plains, where primary consideration was given to the child as the primary user of the facility.   Corridors are color coded enabling the non-reading child to easily find a way to his or her wing in the building.  “Team” colors are used in the floor tiles of the cafeteria creating lanes for the children to ‘line up’ for lunch.   The school’s mascot, “Lucky”, is a prominent feature throughout the facility.  Lucky encourages the children and provides directional guidance through graphics and signage.

The media center was designed with a backyard theme, where the carpet mimics green grass and a winding path connects the two entrances. A terraced reading area is surrounded by a white picket fence and is entered through a garden arbor.  A unique design feature is the blue sky ceiling with white clouds suspended below. The ‘backyard’ experience is completed with bugs and flowers mounted on the walls.

Keeping Lucky in mind, the activity room was designed with his footprints placed throughout as if he walked through the space himself.  There is a tricycle track for the children and colored spots on the floor to help the P.E. teacher facilitate games and dance routines.