Looking to push the limits of traditional educational models, Tacoma School District has opened its first elementary/intermediate school to serve grades 4-8. Our design for Wainwright Intermediate embraces the variety of social and educational needs of this new student grouping in a flexible learning environment. To most effectively utilize the site with an existing mix of forest and hardscape, the school runs along a main spine – transitioning from public community space to core learning. In the center of the school, an “Exploratory Commons” redefines the traditional library offering spaces to research, design, test, and create.