Edmond · Oklahoma

Ida Freeman’s media center is focused on reading. This theme was selected as a tribute to Ida Freeman and the years she spent with children reading as an educator with Edmond area schools. The theme encourages students to discover literature in a new and engaging way. ​The school is also gaining a Maker/STEM Room, new art room, and enlarged teacher work room out of the existing library location.

Special Features of the Media Center:

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Upon entry, there is a giant book opened on the wall which showcases news and books of the month, and provides a book drop slot for quick returns. The media center features four zones:

1. Under the "Book Spine" accent is the Circulation Desk, where students can find and check out books and other publications with their teachers.

2. On the Learning Stair, teachers can do mini-lessons while students sprawl out on the multi-level platform. Underneath is additional book storage, and it has a ledge on the back where teachers can hold staff meetings.

3. The READ Wall creates spaces for bookshelves and nooks for students within the sculpted letters. This wall also serves as the backdrop for the student work table area, which can double as a large meeting location for the staff of Ida Freeman.

4. Just outside of the media center, there is a large outdoor learning space, as well as an indoor collaboration zone with floor-to-ceiling marker boards.

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Ida Freeman's media center also serves as a 5,156 SF storm shelter that can protect up to 665 occupants. The large windows on the south side of the building allow natural light into the space, but have retractable tornado proof coiling doors that are lowered during severe weather to protect the interior and occupants. The space also contains three single restrooms, a workroom, and offices for staff. The shelter's mechanical room contains a backup battery system that provides emergency lighting and ventilation in case of a power outage during a severe weather event. The project was completed in August of 2018, and has won multiple design awards.