Sunset Hills Elementary School is truly unique in its location, strong community involvement, and neighborhood history. The neighborhood school’s location makes it a quiet, hidden gem within the Westside School District and City of Omaha. With a strong understanding and respect for it’s history and community, the design team created a unique learning environment for the current student population. During the design process our team worked hand in hand with teachers, staff, parents, and the students to create a building with active learning spaces for all ages. Natural light flows freely into the interior spaces through the central clerestory, spanning the length of the building. Small, punched windows in the gym create a twinkle of light in the night sky, while harkening back to the glass block windows on the original building. Heavy timber construction was salvaged with care from the original school building, to be reinstalled throughout the building.