Outdoor-in

At this community outdoor school, on the border of Washington, DC, and Maryland, learning begins outside. To reinforce its program, the school reinvested in its beloved bungalow-turned-schoolhouse, creating an interior where outdoor discoveries cross the threshold and nature’s rhythms are gently reflected within a safe, nurturing shelter.

Additional space was gained without expanding the building footprint. A portion of the first floor was removed to transform the long-neglected basement into a sun-filled double-height room fully integral with the rest of the school. Classrooms were reimagined to support a nature-based learning model, offering expansive views to the open-air classroom and strengthening the connection between inside and out.

The renovation honors the spirit of the 84-year-old school, where curiosity is nourished through play and connection to nature, cultivating imagination and empathy for generations to come.

Takoma Park, Maryland | 2025

Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg