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Architecture
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| # 285 |
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| Completion |
NA |
| Specific Use of Building |
Edible School Yard and Flex Lab |
| Project Location |
Canyon Country, CA |
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The Edible Schoolyard at Cedarcreek Elementary School began as a visionary response by the Saugus Union School District to revitalize a campus facing declining enrollment. Seeking to rekindle community interest and reimagine how children learn about food and sustainability, the District partnered with the design team to create a living, garden-based learning environment. Through site visits, research, and collaboration with educators and garden specialists, the planning team shaped a clear goal: to build a hands-on educational experience that would connect students to nature, nutrition, and their community.
The design of the Edible Schoolyard embodies the District’s commitment to innovative, experience-based learning. Cedarcreek’s program integrates science, health, and environmental education into real-world, tactile experiences that nurture curiosity and creativity. The garden, greenhouse, deconstructed silo, and Flex Lab provide settings where students learn by doing - observing growth cycles, studying ecosystems, and practicing collaboration. This approach mirrors the District’s broader mission to cultivate lifelong learners through meaningful, authentic engagement.
The concept centers on the “farm-to-fork” journey, allowing students to participate in every stage - from planting and harvesting to preparing and sharing meals. The Flex Lab anchors this idea as an indoor-outdoor classroom where students can cook and experiment with what they grow. The design team infused the site with thoughtful, inclusive features such as raised planters and accessible pathways, ensuring all students can engage fully. Architectural elements like the deconstructed silo create a memorable symbol of the school’s agricultural inspiration and innovative spirit.
The Edible Schoolyard dissolves traditional classroom boundaries, creating seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor learning. The Flex Lab’s roll-up doors open directly to the garden, turning lessons in science, nutrition, and art into immersive, hands-on experiences. Students cultivate plants, explore ecosystems, and then move indoors to analyze data or prepare meals. Every space - whether shaded under a tree or inside a bright, sunlit lab - serves as an extension of the classroom, fostering engagement and discovery.
Sustainability lies at the heart of the project’s design and mission. The site employs water-efficient drip irrigation, solar-powered lighting, and recycled materials for fences and structures. Natural light and ventilation reduce energy use while enhancing comfort and visibility. By incorporating these strategies, the facility not only models environmental stewardship but also transforms sustainability into a daily learning experience. The result is a high-performance environment that reflects the District’s values and inspires a new generation of responsible learners. |
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