'Iolani School & K1 Community

How would a five-year-old design their school? We asked—and the answer was simple: “I want to play!”

In ‘Iolani’s K-1 Community, play-based learning directly influences how young children naturally explore and understand the world. It’s an incredibly powerful way to make education active, social, and fun. Children are more engaged and eager to learn when learning feels like play.

The K-1 Community was designed as a neighborhood of homes arranged around a shared, organic play space. The classrooms—or “homes”—face each other in a circular layout, creating a sense of community and belonging. Instead of using traditional educational terms, we embraced language from the home: front door, backyard, family room, side patio. Why? Because we wanted to honor the transition young children make from the safety of their homes to the school environment.

For many five-year-olds, school is their first major step outside the familiarity of home. We aimed to make that transition as gentle as possible, focusing on empathy and understanding how young minds work. Children are drawn to spaces that feel safe, inviting, and fun—spaces where they can explore, get messy, and engage hands-on with their surroundings … which, in this case, might remind them of home.

Architecturally, we responded with thoughtful elements like wobbly corridors that feed curiosity, large farmhouse tables for shared activities, running water, fallen logs to climb over, and cozy reading nooks just the right size for a child to snuggle up in with a book. These details reflect a deep understanding of what children need to feel secure and stimulated—a school environment that feels like home yet challenges our young learners to take risks.

Biophilia also played an essential role in this campus… after all, the physical classroom space is the second teacher in the room. In this case, that classroom was also living – we used natural timber in the construction, incorporated views of nature, and showcased beautifully imperfect textures and patterns. Windows were oriented to let children know where the sun rose and set, emphasizing the connection between human and natural systems. An abundance of outdoor classroom spaces allows learners to feel, hear, and even smell the rain falling. Additionally, the few trees removed from the site during construction were cared for, air-dried on site, and offered a second life as the focus of the playground space.

This learning environment goes beyond traditional teaching—it immerses children in a space that becomes the teacher. Here, nature and design work together to inspire and educate. Trees teach lessons in renewal, and even the hallways transform to sharpen a child’s sense of exploration and orientation. The classrooms feel like home, fostering comfort and security, while windows transform into playful nooks inviting curiosity. Even the reading room has a resonant story … designed as a tree, crafted by our Upper School students using cutting-edge technology to nurture a love of reading in the youngest members of our school. This living space for learning fosters a love of learning through joy, creativity, and play, making education an experience that children embrace and look forward to each day.