Location:
Northridge, CA
Client:
Amador Whittle Architect for Los Angeles Unified School District
Contact:
Jean Amador, A.I.A. /President, Amador Whittle Architect, Inc / 805.530.3938
Completed:
2017
Construction cost:
n/a
Northridge Middle School
Northridge Middle School is part of the DROPS program (Drought Response Outreach Program for Schools) in an effort to not only educate our students, but to raise the awareness of the communities that surround our schools as well. Various locations are being updated to provide for a more inviting feel and create informal gathering spaces for the students. The use of native, as well as succulents and drought tolerant plants will be used to enhance and complement the architectural design of the site. The planting will have an ample selection of plant material offering seasonal colors, texture, and visual interest to the entire site.
The planting is of great note in this project and will be shown throughout the site; beginning with the planting areas at the front of the school, running parallel to Chase Street, the Lunch Pavilion near the cafeteria, the corridor’s between classrooms and the planting areas adjacent to Zelzah Avenue as well. These areas will showcase California’s varied plant palette throughout its various regions and respective climate zones. The landscape concept for this school was to:
Beautify the school in a manner that complements the existing architecture and enhances the students learning experience
Educate students, faculty, staff, visitors, neighbors and passersby about using our resources responsibly.
Raise awareness of our native plant palettes that include a great variety of succulents, grasses and trees of which many are also drought tolerant.
Create new gathering spaces for students using existing built elements and new planting schemes.