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Terra Centre Elementary School

USA / Virginia / Burke / Burke Centre Parkway, 6000
 interesting place, primary education, school yard

Terra Centre Elementary School was built in 1980 and is most particularly noted for its unorthodox architecture. The entirety of the school as originally built was underground, with the exception of several peeking overhangs supported by large concrete columns with windows underneath. The interior was designed with the unique 'open' classroom floor plan concept from the late 1970s, where many of the classrooms lacked any permanent walls or doors and were arranged around an unusual circular pattern. The building itself was designed with energy efficiency in mind and originally sported solar panels on its earthen roof. It continues to be one of the most energy-efficient school buildings found in Northern Virginia and one of the only schools to boast a playground & green playing field on its roof.

Terraset Elementary School in Reston, which pioneered this design and layout and was funded entirely by the Saudi Arabian government as a joint experiment in energy efficiency, was built three years earlier in 1977. Like Terraset, Terra Centre has undergone subsequent additions that are not entirely underground.

The current principal is Michele Sims.

6000 Burke Centre Pkwy
Burke, VA 22015
(703) 249-1400

www.fcps.edu/TerraCentreES/
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   38°47'7"N   77°17'52"W
This article was last modified 4 years ago