At Alder Creek Elementary, Folsom-Cordova Unified School District’s newest school, the school’s theme is apparent the moment you step through the doors. A large world map highlights Earth’s diverse biomes, while overhead, winding mesh ribbons feature animals and landscapes found throughout these ecosystems. At the entrance to each classroom wing, a watercolor mural immerses students in a natural landscape. Down the corridors, playful illustrations of animals and plants flesh out the theme. Strategically placed “quick teaching moments” engage students with fun facts and thought-provoking questions, turning otherwise empty surfaces into an opportunity for discovery.
Seeing families, students, and teachers come into this space, everyone is in awe the first time they see the graphics. –Sara Parenzin, Principal, Alder Creek Elementary School
This captivating educational content was created through a close collaboration between HMC Architects and the district’s curriculum team. Together, we carefully selected different ecosystems for each wing, each with its own unique color scheme. The goal was to create a series of “learning touchpoints” that not only incorporate the color theme and biome assigned to each wing but also align with grade-level-appropriate concepts. Some wings feature detailed diagram illustrations explaining complex ideas like food webs, water flow, and animal life cycles—all tailored to match the curriculum students will encounter in their classrooms. To maintain visual harmony, monotone background, and accent artwork carry the color theme throughout the space without overwhelming the senses.
The impact of this thoughtful design is evident in the students’ reactions. Upon walking through the building for the first time, one student remarked that the warm orange hues in the desert wing made her feel warmer, the greens in the forest wing instilled a sense of calm, and the blues in the aquatic wing created the sensation of swimming underwater. This visceral response demonstrates the power of environmental graphics to not only educate but also to create immersive, multi-sensory learning experiences.
The most common thing I hear is, ‘This is not an elementary school—It feels like a children’s museum.’ –Sara Parenzin, Principal, Alder Creek Elementary School
By transforming every surface into a potential teaching tool, Alder Creek Elementary has redefined the concept of a learning environment. This innovative approach to school design proves that with creativity and collaboration, we can turn entire buildings into dynamic, engaging textbooks—fostering curiosity, enhancing retention, and making education a truly immersive experience.
