The new Laremont School is part of the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) Cooperative and serves students with severe disabilities ages pre-Kindergarten to 21. Adjacent to the existing campus, Laremont is a state-of-the-art environment that provides flexible classrooms, specialty rooms, therapeutic spaces, and administrative offices.
The design ensures that the facility is stimulating and recognizable for students who have difficulty interacting with their surroundings. It is a colorful, playful, and special place for special students; Laremont visually celebrates students’ importance and individuality. Rooted in the simplicity of nature and growth of students in their daily activities, the design prioritizes visual and tactile references to nature. These thematic and interactive elements speak to students and connect them in a non-verbal way to not only their families and teachers but also to their immediate world.