This school proudly stands as the first in LAUSD to earn LEED Platinum certification, a milestone in sustainable school design. As environmental designers, we set out to tell many of the energy-conservation stories this building holds. Through a vibrant color palette, a collection of sustainability markers, and signage on ground, walls, and even pipes, we envisioned a place that inspires curiosity, exploration, and learning in every detail.

Color plays a central role, both inside and out. The campus looks strikingly joyful and bold with its sports and game fields painted in vibrant hues. Opting out of the traditional white outline, we provided students with rich fields of colors and a proposal for new interpretations and engagement.

Brass typography inlaid in the concrete form a kind of treasure map that highlights the synergy between the building and its environment. Students are invited to explore complex systems such as geothermal loops, riparian corridors, and photovoltaic panels through hands-on discovery.

This treasure hunt approach became especially opportune when the site was fitted with over 20 methane-exhaust pipes. We used them to create a poetic installation, wrapping each in graphic patterns and fragments of an Italo Calvino text, encouraging wanderers to complete a campus-wide literary journey.