Rogue River, Oregon
The Rogue River Early Learning Center, located on the Rogue River Elementary School property in downtown, serves as a new hub for early childhood education and community wellness. Developed by the Rogue River School District and operated by Head Start & La Clinica, the project combines a two-classroom early learning facility with a 1,000-square-foot school-based health center that supports local students and families.
Simple residential-style forms and steeply pitched gable roofs give the building both warmth and familiarity while reflecting the surrounding foothills. Large windows frame views and flood the classrooms with natural light, and covered porches extend learning and playing outdoors.
Built efficiently within a tight budget and compact site, the light wood-framed structure uses durable materials such as masonry cladding and polished concrete floors to balance economy, durability, and a sense of permanence. Playful details like colorful window niches and bold geometric massing create spaces that feel inviting and child focused. The layout organizes classrooms around a small central corridor with shared support spaces, while the health center, accessed separately from the Oak Street entrance, offers exam rooms, offices, and a waiting area for community use. Together, these elements form a cohesive campus addition that unites education, wellness, and the joy of early learning within a simple, expressive architecture.
General Contractor: Outlier Construction
Photography: Bob Palermini