In 2008, Duvivier Architects created the Campus Greening Master Plan for Coeur d’Alene Elementary School (CDA), a five-year vision to provide shade, create habitat, and provide learning opportunities for the students and community. The five acre school site was almost entirely impermeable and flooded local streets at every rain event. Duvivier worked with,the school principal, LAUSD staff, parents, neighbors and kids to create a vision to transform the site into a place that will have a wetland in an area that regularly floods; a dune scrub created as a wind buffer to coastal winds; and an oak grove to become a shady haven for students to play. The wetland area will thrive on the south side of campus where large amounts of water seasonally collect. The habitat will recreate the Ballona wetlands habitat that was once a part of this area. The plants in this garden will be those that are designed to thrive in alternately very dry and very wet conditions. Several smaller learning gardens will represent the flora of different regions. The natural water cycle is represented as rainwater is allowed to percolate into the ground and replenish our underground aquifer while nourishing microorganisms and the soil, other rain water that is collected on site is used for vegetable gardens.

Phase 1, which was completed in 2009, included the removal of 8000 SF of asphalt and the creation of a series of strategically placed rain garden along the entire width of the west end of the property. This has significantly reduced the storm run off by slowing down and collecting the storm water, and allowing it to infiltrate into the ground. Fifty native trees were planted, a small hills with boulders were created to provide kids with shady areas to gather and experience the birds and butterflies that are now attracted to the native plants.

Phase 2, was completed in 2010 due to the huge success of phase 1 and included the removal of an additional 10,000 SF of asphalt. This time the gardens were designed to be located near the buildings where they could collect rain water that would be used to irrigate the themed gardens. Some of these gardens include a dinosaur garden and a Doctor Seuss garden for the kindergarteners and a Mediterranean garden, victory garden, California mission garden and Shakespearean garden which where decided upon to be used as part of the school curriculum. A veggie garden was planted with fruit trees. The gardens have been so successful that the school, which had no gardens two years previously, now has a gardening teacher and a biology club that meet in the gardens.

The next phase of work is waiting funding. Concepts waiting funding include a full campus running track, redwood grove amphitheater, cistern under the ball fields, permeable parking lots, grasslands play area and oak grove meadow.

Duvivier raised the money to construct the first 2 phases of work. Donations came from local organizations as well as agencies who believe in the value of creating learning opportunities while infiltrating storm water and reducing energy costs. Some of the donors include Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation, Tom’s of Maine, Metropolitan Water District, Venice Neighborhood Council, Venice Farmers Market, Abbot Kinney Street Festival, and private donors. Duvivier designed the site, drew up the construction document, got approval of the plans from the LAUSD and managed the construction.

By engaging students, parents, and local community in the greening of the campus, the project demonstrates through physical action, integrated school curriculum and community signage, the many ways that community can implement sustainable site strategies. One of the main learning outcomes of the Coeur d’Alene Campus Greening is the discussion of energy and water conservation, quality and reliability in our region, and how site planning can impact our environment. The greening of an asphalt campus provides opportunities to teach about a broad array of sustainability issues such as: plastic debris in the world’s ocean and its impact; insect and bird habitat creation and importance; watershed functions and water cycle; science learning opportunities; sustainable infrastructure and low impact development such as swales, permeable paving, cisterns, storm water capture, infiltrators; passive solar technologies for natural cooling and heating, such as building orientation, strategically planted trees, and shading; the operation and energy demands of heating and air conditioning equipment; new green technologies such as green arbors, and walls; energy sources and energy efficiency; carbon footprint and heat island effect; stewardship and empowerment; leadership development and mentoring; and native peoples technologies such as the Zanjas and solar calendars.

The completed site Phase 1 and 2 are being used by the Los Angeles Unified School District as a model of a successful partnership with a team of community members/parent organization. In fact CDA is the first school to have an MOU in place with the LAUSD. Due to the success of Phase 1, two of our teammates were asked to speak at the State of the Bay conference, hosted by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. This project was seen as a successful model in creating a community asset that supports habitat and water quality while educating the public.