Location: Charlottesville VA
Status: In Progress

The proposed amphitheater at Mountaintop Montessori is situated at the edge of a woodland with fractured views of the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond Charlottesville.  The amphitheater will be an intimate and welcoming outdoor space for small and large groups of students to use as a classroom or performance venue.  Locust, cedar, and redbud trees provide a canopy overhead that is dynamic and inspires a sense of mystery, discovery, and wildness.  The American Beech found in surrounding forests was the inspiration for the design of the amphitheater seating.   The beech-leaf shaped platforms fold across the landscape, conforming to existing topography to minimize grading, and encouraging the prospect of climbing and play.  The design accommodates kids, ages 3 to 15, and varying skill levels with accessible route options.