De Smet, SD (2024)
Laura Ingalls Wilder Elementary pays homage to the great prairie philosopher and her famed “Little House” stories, five of which describe homesteading life in and around De Smet, SD. Given the community’s pride in and connection to the Wilder family, it only made sense to continue telling their story in this new elementary school.
Filled with colors, shapes, and connections to nature, the school was designed to delight and inspire young learners by harnessing the magic of the beloved “Little House” series.
Notably, house-like shapes with “rooflines” are abundant in the interior design. In the corridors, we included “Little House” breakout spaces with pitched-roof openings, finished with colorful wood slats to mimic lath walls and ceilings common in late 19th-century home building. Biomimicry comes in the form of wood furniture and finishes, natural paint colors, and even a cloud-shaped ceiling feature in the library.
Finally, to honor the storyteller, we put some of Wilder’s most memorable quotes on display throughout the school. As you enter the building, you’re met with a quote in the library casework challenging visitors to dream. One corridor features artwork mapping the family’s travels and includes perhaps the author’s most famous words:
“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
