Buena Vista High School Learning Stair

Omaha South High School students were engaged in the design process of the new Buena Vista High School from the very beginning, helping establish the concept of “Past, Present, and Future.” The students desired a school where everyone would feel comfortable and represented no matter their ethnicity, culture, or background. Home to a variety of ethnic cultures, including Polish, Czech, German, and Mexican, South Omaha is one of the city’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods. It was crucial to the project to ensure that the new school honors each individual’s history, embraces them as they are today, and guides them towards a successful future tomorrow. The color palette was inspired by local murals, historic buildings, and images representing the storied traditions of South Omaha. The students selected these bright colors to represent the various cultures within the community. The colors are interwoven together within the communal spaces throughout the school, but most prominently in the media center. This "wow" moment at the conjunction of the media center, which connects the two levels, is also meant to integrate the different heritages. This central core helps bridge the gap, providing a welcoming space for all to gather and share their story. The grand learning stair provides a physical space for students to gather for presentations, small groups to collaborate on projects, or individuals to read a book while still feeling a part of the collective whole. The learning stairs ground the space as colorful sweeping linear elements frame its doubled height. The blending and gradation of colors serve as a connector of cultures just as the form and detailing of the feature itself. In addition, fiber cement board was used for durability. These slats sweep up the vertical face of the walls, wrapping into the framed openings in the wall where counters are situated, which allows a private location for students to study while still feeling connected to the greater whole. The stripes from the walls also connect and turn 90 degrees to sweep across the width of the ceiling plane, drawing users in fully and truly encompassing the space. Linear accent lights are positioned perfectly within the stripe, further accentuating the repetitive linear form. Altogether, this space provides a bright shining light for students to gather, share, celebrate and embrace their own heritage and that of their neighbors.