The 4Roots Farm Campus Education Center is a model of regenerative design, addressing issues such as food insecurity, climate change, and the growing disconnect from nature. Situated on an 18-acre urban farm in Orlando’s historic Packing District, the 7,700-square-foot mass timber building functions as both an educational space and a community resource, serving as a living classroom that supports learning and local engagement.
The building produces 105 percent of its own energy, significantly reduces water use, and avoids harmful materials, all while functioning as an educational tool.
Guided by a regenerative design approach, the project emphasizes both environmental restoration and occupant well-being. Regionally sourced mass timber, smart glazing, and rainwater harvesting systems are integrated to support ecological balance and demonstrate sustainable building practices for a resilient future.
Site restoration
Set at the headwaters of the Wekiva River basin—a wetland historically affected by industrial activity—the building is designed to support ecological restoration. Through permaculture strategies and low-impact farming, the project helps regenerate the landscape and reestablish natural water flows. The broader 4Roots Farm Campus includes vertical farming, row crops, floating wetlands, and wildlands, creating a hands-on learning environment.
Architecturally, the design dissolves boundaries between interior and exterior. Inspired by the surrounding food forest, it features operable glass walls, expansive views, and natural materials that foster a sense of connection to the environment and support a wide range of educational programs.
Energy efficiency
The 4Roots Education Building operates at net-positive energy and is pursuing Living Building Challenge Zero Carbon Certification. Its performance is driven by a highly efficient envelope—68 percent tighter than code requirements—which reduces reliance on large mechanical systems. Energy use is further optimized through high-efficiency air-handling units and a Building Automation System that carefully manages indoor conditions.
The building incorporates a range of passive strategies to enhance comfort and efficiency. Electrochromatic glazing reduces glare, while overhangs provide targeted shading. Interior lighting is supported by LED fixtures and a high 98 percent Spatial Daylight Autonomy, with just 13 percent Annual Sunlight Exposure to help maintain thermal balance.
Constructed from carbon-sequestering mass timber—including southern yellow pine glulam and cross-laminated timber—the design reduces reliance on additional materials. Reclaimed cypress was used for interior millwork. On the exterior, low-carbon, regionally sourced fiber cement panels limit transportation emissions. A construction-phase waste management plan contributed to a 13.9 percent reduction in embodied carbon relative to the baseline.
Resilience and resource management
The building incorporates long-term strategies for maintenance, resilience, and material circularity. Rainwater is stored in 4,000-gallon cisterns, and HVAC condensate is reused for toilet flushing and irrigation, reducing potable water use by 76 percent. Durable materials—such as mass timber and fiber cement panels—extend the building’s lifespan while lowering upkeep requirements.
Protective curbing, a raised building pad, and sustainable stormwater management help shield both the structure and the surrounding environment. Materials were selected with circularity in mind: mass timber can be disassembled and reused, while fiber cement cladding is recyclable.
Classroom spaces include operable partitions to allow for future adaptation. Elevated above the 100-year floodplain, and tested by multiple hurricanes, the building has proven its resilience through thoughtful site planning, limited impermeable surfaces, and responsive landscape design.
