Evergreen Charter School in Hempstead, New York, is among the first mass timber K–12 school buildings on the East Coast and a model for equitable, low-carbon educational design. Designed by Martin Hopp Architect, the 89,000-square-foot facility targets LEED Platinum certification and is net-zero ready. Located in a community where average income levels are below the national average, the project demonstrates that high-performance, climate-responsive architecture can serve underserved neighbourhoods.
Mass timber and embodied carbon reduction
Departing from conventional steel or concrete school construction, Evergreen employs a cross-laminated timber (CLT) superstructure atop a concrete podium. This strategy reduces embodied carbon by replacing large volumes of concrete and steel with renewable mass timber.
A Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA) confirmed that the largest emissions savings stemmed from substituting concrete slabs and structural elements with CLT panels. Where concrete was required, low-carbon mix designs were specified. Structural steel used in the podium and selective reinforcements contains 90–99 percent recycled content.
High-performance envelope and mechanical systems
Performance gains are achieved through a high-performing façade, careful insulation selection, and efficient mechanical systems. Low embodied carbon insulation was selected for both exterior and interior assemblies, minimising lifecycle emissions while improving thermal performance. Solar shading strategies and optimised glazing reduce heat gain while maintaining daylight access.
A Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) mechanical system supports net-zero-ready operation by delivering zoned heating and cooling with high efficiency. The integration of high-performance systems and envelope design ensures that operational energy demand is minimised, positioning the building for future renewable energy integration.
Design for community and density
Situated on a tight urban site between residential and light industrial areas, the school adopts a vertically stacked programme model. Classrooms, labs, and shared spaces are layered efficiently to maximise floor area while preserving outdoor areas.
The programme includes 30 classrooms, specialised art and maker spaces, music rooms, science and technology labs, and a two-level cafeteria. Outdoor amenities include a play area, soccer field, meditation zone, and teaching garden, distributed across rooftops and remaining site pockets.
Transparency at ground level connects the school to its neighbourhood. Seating areas near entrances encourage informal gathering, reinforcing the building’s role as a community anchor. Public functions are located near the entry, allowing evening and weekend use while maintaining secure academic zones.
The building as environmental curriculum
Evergreen is designed as a teaching tool. Signage throughout the school explains mass timber construction, embodied carbon, solar shading, and native plant strategies. Murals and information stations make sustainability visible and accessible to students.
Exposed CLT interiors provide a warm, tactile environment that contrasts with typical institutional construction. The natural materiality contributes to occupant well-being while reinforcing lessons about renewable resources and responsible design.
