Temporary Tiger
Architecture Firm: Murray Legge Architecture
Owner: Little Tiger Chinese Immersion School
Location: Austin, Texas
Category: up to $250,000 in construction cost
When it became clear that the COVID-19 pandemic would affect daily life for the foreseeable future, Austin’s Little Tiger Chinese immersion school opted to move a significant portion of its classes outdoors. Temporary Tiger, which took a week to build and cost less than $6,000, allowed the school to continue its programming in fall 2020. The shelter allows for learning in an exciting, cheerful environment while providing students with shelter from the intense Texas sun.
"Designed to address the needs for a safer outdoor learning environment during the height of the pandemic, the project presents a playful structure that allows for multi-use, flexible activities." - Jury comment
The structure is largely composed of 2x4 wooden studs secured to the ground with threaded pile anchors that are easily removed if needed. The team opted for stick framing since it is inexpensive and flexible, but the A-frame walls are also stable enough to include built-in benches for students to sit on. The repetition of frames and diagonal braces lends the structure a playful, graphic quality.
“Designed to address the needs for a safer outdoor learning environment during the height of the pandemic, the project presents a playful structure that allows for multi-use, flexible activities,” said the jury. “The modular strategy results in a pavilion-like construction that celebrates light and shadow through the thoughtful articulation of conventional wood framing.”
"The modular strategy results in a pavilion-like construction that celebrates light and shadow through the thoughtful articulation of conventional wood framing." - Jury comment
As the owners of the school, it was imperative for the clients to demonstrate to parents that they were taking the pandemic seriously and acting to mitigate the impact on their students' social and academic progress. Working within those guidelines, the team developed and refined the design throughout spring 2020, wrapping up construction just before the start of the academic year. Temporary Tiger has remained in constant use since.
Throughout the pandemic, the school maintained in-person classes without disruption, ensuring stability in the lives of parents and students alike. The structure remains incredibly popular with children, who treat it as a play structure when classes are not in session. In and around Temporary Tiger, climbing the walls is encouraged.
