IN-PERSON: Learning. Life. Work

Abstract

We need to learn new ways to build schools sustainably. School districts around the nation face overcrowding and are in desperate need of more facilities, but at the same time, global warming is making it ever more urgent to rethink how—and how much—we build. The architecture-engineering-construction industry is responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions; the only way towards a net-zero future is by building more sustainably. Mass timber, a net-negative-carbon material that can replace carbon-costly ones like concrete and steel, offers a way to do just that. Evergreen Charter School by Martin Hopp Architect (MHA) is one of the first mass timber K-12 projects on the East Coast. The building uses the material to create healthy, inspiring, and environmentally responsible learning environments. Using mass timber required MHA to teach the client and project team about the material, its sustainable qualities, and the design opportunities it presents. Moreover, it required learning a new way of thinking about design and construction, using prefabricated mass timber elements so that the building could be built quickly and cost-effectively. But most importantly, The design leverages the physical school itself as a learning tool, making it part of the curriculum. With murals and information stations, the building teaches students and faculty about the principles of carbon sequestration, circular economies, and the sustainability benefits of mass timber. The result is a school that encourages critical thinking about the environment and a deeper appreciation for the natural world and its resources.