colored louvers wrap around los angeles elementary school's curved exterior by JFAK

curved geometries shape Wonderland Elementary School by JFAK

John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK) takes over the design of the Wonderland Elementary School in Los Angeles. The new kindergarten addition consists of two new classrooms, support spaces, and outdoor learning areas, designed for an existing hillside public school. The project incorporates a sculptural building form intended to facilitate early childhood learning through spatial variety and environmental engagement.

The structure presents a restrained profile to the adjacent residential context. Around its exterior, a series of colored louvers provides shading and visual articulation. Facing the interior of the school campus, the building form transitions into curved geometries that introduce spatial dynamism. A large roof overhang extends outward to offer protection from sun and rain, establishing a semi-sheltered outdoor zone that supports informal gathering and extended learning activities.

all images by Benny Chan/Fotoworks

large skylights bring natural light to the school’s interior

Studio’s John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK) design follows principles of environmental sustainability and meets Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Verification standards. The classrooms are oriented to optimize natural daylight and include controlled views toward the campus, surrounding neighborhoods, and nearby wooded areas. Ceiling sections remain partially open, allowing visibility into the mechanical and structural systems to support educational curiosity.

Top-lighting strategies include the use of large skylights and solar tubes to minimize reliance on artificial lighting and enhance interior daylight quality. Additional features include custom-designed storage units, integrated reading areas, and low-height seating beneath the extended roof edge, scaled appropriately for early learners. A central roof aperture equipped with colored polycarbonate fins introduces filtered light that shifts with the sun’s position, producing varied color effects throughout the day. The project integrates architectural expression, environmental performance, and educational function in a cohesive design tailored for early childhood learning environments.

Wonderland Elementary School is located in Los Angeles, California

the large sweeping roof overhang provides shade from the sun and shelter from rain

the mass of the building gives way to playful swoops facing the campus interior

colorful louvers wrap around the school’s exterior facade

colored polycarbonate fins above a large roof opening create transitory rainbows of colored sunlight

the project also adds a learning garden to the elementary school

large skylights and solar tubes minimize reliance on artificial lighting and enhance interior daylight quality

custom colorful storage cubbies are designed with young learners in mind

project info:

name: Wonderland Elementary School Kindergarten Classroom Building and Learning Garden

architects: John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects (JFAK)

location: Los Angeles, California, United States

client: Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

general contractor: Geronimo Concrete, Inc.

principals-in-charge: Alice Kimm, John Friedman

project manager: Lauren Rath

design team: Jin Hong Kim, Lolade Frankel

structural engineer: Nabih Youssef & Associates (NYA)

civil engineer: VCA

MEP engineer: MEDG

landscape architect: Office of the Designed Landscape (OotDL)

acoustics: Waveguide

specifications: Yagade Consulting, Inc.

cost estimation: MGAC

commissioning: Alliance Project

photographer: Benny Chan/Fotoworks | @benny_chan_photographer