Poe Elementary School

Houston, Texas

1998 Association of
Collegiate Schools
of Architecture
Collaborative Practice
Award

2000 AIA Houston
Honor Award /
Renovation and
Restoration

As part of the Houston Independent School District’s “Spark Park” program, Jay Baker volunteered to head a master planning effort for the playground at Edgar Allan Poe Elementary School.

Four temporary classroom buildings were relocated, placed on three sides of a new basketball court / outdoor classroom. A continuous walkway connects all four classroom buildings. Steps surrounding the court double as bleacher seating.

Jay worked with the Rice University School of Architecture to create a design/build studio where students designed the covering system. Designed as a kit of parts, the covered walkway was assembled by volunteers.