A Treehouse Dream Come True: The Lower School Library Renovation

In the summer of 2023, something magical happened at American Heritage Schools' Broward Campus. The Lower School Library, a place where young minds flourish, underwent an incredible transformation. This was more than a renovation; it was a journey into creativity, wonder, and the extraordinary. Leading this transformation was Kevin Hale, the visionary artist behind Artisan Industry, and Jonathan Reid, a Heritage alum and current Co-Director of Fine Arts, who worked on the design.

“I began by meeting with Dr. Laurie and Mrs. Wood in the lower school library, where I sketched some initial ideas for tree-based structures, shelving, and teacher seating. These sketches were later refined, adding characters and incorporating ideas from our discussions, which were then presented to Kevin during a meeting to discuss the 3D interior. I also worked on the stairwell, a substantial project that required planning and painting. This involved creating four main murals and a fifth on the north side of the stairwell. I initially drew 3-foot sketches on paper, later digitizing them for precision. Using Photoshop and Rebelle, I resized and painted the digital panels in layers, from background elements to foreground characters, all on a 16" laptop screen. After completing the digital paintings, I created a model of the stairwell and printed the murals to ensure alignment. I collaborated with the printing company to make necessary adjustments, such as character positioning and texture expansion. The final step involved hand-painting the stairs with acrylic paint, including a waterfall and rocks, once the digitally painted panels were applied to the walls by the wrapping and painting companies,” explained Mr. Reid.

Kevin Hale, from Columbia, Tennessee, has a unique talent for crafting enchanting worlds for children. His previous work already beautifies American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, where he transformed the reading room into an underwater cave and adorned the main floor with magnificent trees. This time, the challenge was even more ambitious - to create a treehouse in the sky with a reading room inside the treehouse

“We created the reading room as the inside of a tree, and then outside the tree, like in a treehouse, because the sky is all around us," Kevin Hale explained his creative vision. "We happen to be really good at making trees for some reason. There's a texture here that I created by accident that looks like tree bark, and this is made out of industrial materials."

What makes Kevin's work so exceptional is his dedication to uniqueness. "We make a lot of trees, but we have never made this tree before," he shared. "And the next tree we make will be completely different as well. So I like my job because we’re always doing something different. We're not building the same thing over and over again."

The process of bringing this dreamy tree to life was not without its challenges. Kevin and his team had to construct the tree inside the room due to the limited access through a single door. "How do you get a big tree like this in a little tiny door? So, we actually built it from scratch right here in the room," he said.

But the challenges were worth it. Kevin Hale firmly believes in the power of creative environments for children. He stated, "I think kids, when they're young, that's when they create their personalities. They need to be inspired to create. I think we were all meant to be creative. So, if you don't start at a young age to give them an environment to think creatively, I don't think they will be as useful to society when they grow up."

Mrs. Lauren Johnston, a seasoned educator with 40 years of experience and the Lower School principal, couldn't agree more. She shared her excitement, "What's coming to life in this library is possibly the most exciting learning space I've ever seen in 40 years as an educator, creating a space where children can't wait to get to."

The tree-inspired library is not merely a place for books; it's an embodiment of wonderment and a testament to the power of imagination. Mrs. Johnston added, "We’re creating a space where children can't wait to go pick out a new book. And it's a place where you can actually enjoy reading."

The students, too, couldn't contain their excitement. Madeline, 5th grade, exclaimed, "I think it's amazing. I'm speechless.” Another 5th grade student, Alex, excitedly announced,” I think it's literally amazing, like it feels like something that you would dream about. It looks so cool. And I literally want to live here."

In the end, the Lower School Library renovation project at American Heritage Schools', Broward Campus, is not just about bricks and mortar; it's about nurturing young minds, fostering creativity, and creating a haven where children can embark on exciting literary adventures. American Heritage Schools has provided these young learners with a world where they can truly soar.