Riverside School District’s Kings Ridge Preparatory Academy set out to reimagine the traditional school environment by establishing a strong, distinct STEM identity throughout the campus. The goal was to create learning spaces that not only support the curriculum but also visually reflect the school’s commitment to science, technology, engineering, and math. To achieve this, each area of the school was enhanced with bold, thematic graphics that represent the four STEM disciplines, giving students a sense of place and purpose as they move through the building.

As part of the transformation, the school’s library was converted into a modern, fully digital media center that supports research, collaboration, and multimedia exploration. Surrounding the media center, dedicated breakout spaces were created to serve the academy’s specialized programs, offering flexible zones for project-based learning, small group instruction, and hands-on experimentation. These updates were designed to align with the school’s forward-thinking curriculum and to give students environments that inspire curiosity and critical thinking.

The design process began with in-depth conversations with administrators, teachers, and students to fully understand the curriculum and how it was being delivered and received. This collaborative approach was followed by a comprehensive assessment of the existing spaces, identifying which elements could be reused or reimagined. From there, each learning zone was carefully assigned and defined based on its intended function, ensuring that every space in the school contributes meaningfully to the STEM-focused educational experience.