ojmrarchitects_

Updated renderings of our 3201 W. Tampa Bay Boulevard project in Tampa Bay, FL. Near the ,

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Brand Identity 2026, by Jayson Urlich

Translucent panel captivates the space with diffused north light.

Westchester Lutheran Elementary School: A Design for Community and Innovation.

Nestled within a constrained triangular site in urban Los Angeles, the Westchester Lutheran Elementary School embodies a harmonious blend of community integration, flexible design, and sustainable innovation. This project transforms spatial and programmatic challenges into opportunities—creating an energy-efficient learning environment that strengthens ties between the school, the historic Westchester Lutheran Church, and the surrounding neighborhood.

For decades, the church has served as both a community anchor and an architectural landmark. The decision to relocate the school to the main campus reflects a deep commitment to fostering connection. The master plan—encompassing the new elementary school (Phase 1) and a future middle school, gymnasium, and playgrounds (Phase 2)—positions the elementary building linearly along an east west axis. By situating the playground as a shared gathering space for both school and church, the design encourages continuous community engagement.

Inside, classrooms are thoughtfully crafted to balance flexibility with focus. Each room is divided into three distinct zones: a durable concrete floored art area near the sink, a soft floored retreat for reading or tutoring, and a central teaching space lined with dry erase board wallpaper to allow adaptable seating. Movable partitions and strategically placed sound dampening materials further enable team teaching and future reconfiguration, ensuring the school can evolve with changing educational needs.

A deep commitment to student well being and performance guided the approach to natural light and ventilation. Moving beyond outdated windowless models, the design welcomes daylight from multiple directions while mitigating solar heat gain. East facing windows are shielded by walkway overhangs; west facing apertures are minimized yet capture cooling sea breezes; and a sculpted west façade creates north or south facing windows that diffuse soft, even light throughout each classroom.

Study model for a new project in Tampa Bay. Updates soon.
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Concept sketches for an urban district plan in Florida.

Abstract watercolor 1990
New York City

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