California Print Pro Turns Elementary School Stairwell Into Immersive Learning Space

IN A PROJECT AIMED to promote inclusivity through innovative interior design, the central three-story stairwell of Sherman Elementary School, a nearly 100-year-old SFUSD K-5 located in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow-Marina district, was transformed into a dynamic space for students of all backgrounds and learning styles. Sherman has long been recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and equitable access for its diverse community of learners. To create an environment truly representative of this mission, local neurodiverse specialists and educators combined sensory and educational design components, enabling the project to strike the right balance between youthful creativity and functionality.

Then, the print service provider team from VIVAS stepped in. They were experts at unique project requirements and this one certainly was unique — and important. One aspect is that the installation included interactive sensory elements, such as 3D textured details, activity panels, and bubble walls, enhancing student engagement. The vibrant graphics were printed on a full wrap across four floors, creating a seamless multi-sensory learning experience.

School spirit and inclusivity run deep at Sherman, which is why the students had a direct say in the themes of their new stairwell. The journey begins deep under the sea, inspired by the school’s beloved mascot: The Sherman Shark!

At the bottom of the stairwell, a shark has a welcome greeting featured in six different languages, all spoken by children at Sherman. As students climb the stairs, they interact with school expectations and values (Be Safe, Helpful, Accountable, Respectful, and Kind — Be a SHARK!) and recognize sights familiar to the Bay Area that honor the school’s roots.


This 2,900-square-foot installation pushes the boundaries of wide-format digital printing by integrating unique, student-inspired graphics with interactive 3D elements. A challenge was that the project had to accommodate the slightly textured walls of the historic school building. The installation teams from VIVAS Inc. and Lane Displays — who spent seven days on the project — used Avery Dennison MPI 2105, which gave good clarity and conformed to the wood molding that runs along the stairwell.

PHOTO GALLERY (4 IMAGES)