East Meadow School’s landscape and site design for a new addition and renovation of the East Meadow Elementary demonstrates the school’s commitment to sustainable practices and ecological stewardship. Excavated fill was used to create universally accessible playground sculptures integrating slides, sandboxes, swings, amphitheaters and climbing nets. The wildflower meadow has woven ecological function and observation to classrooms, providing habitat for meadow hawks, sparrows, butterflies, and other pollinators. In addition to connecting to local ecologies, the meadow reduces the school’s carbon footprint and saves 100 Gallons of Gasoline a year as well as 1.06 Million Gallons of water a year. 

Berkshire Design worked with the school district and design team to upgrade utility infrastructure, which included a new public water supply well, septic system upgrades, and a new stormwater management system based on infiltration and groundwater recharge. The project included extensive permitting and reviews through local boards and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.