John Adams Middle School - Linear Courtyard
Client: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Scope: Renovation
Size: 9,272 SF
Completion: 2023
Principal Architect: Richard Berliner, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, ALEP
Berliner Architects, in collaboration with Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, is working to renovate the existing linear courtyards at John Adams Middle School into outdoor learning environments. The outdoor learning spaces are strategically designed to be flexible and support project-based learning and will be used for performances, lectures, and to display student work.
The spaces complement the existing courtyards and support the surrounding classrooms, which later will be improved with glass garage doors that open into the courtyards.
The use of fixed seating around the courtyard defines the space and its different uses, while the movable furniture allows the space to accommodate different programs and size groups varying from 1-2, 4-5, and 20-30. The new program accommodates a combination of options that address the neighboring sites, including larger open gathering spaces near the performing arts complex and smaller gathering spaces. The north courtyard will have more open spaces that will be used for classrooms and could be used after school hours as a gathering space before entering the new Auditorium prior to a performance. This would create a connection between the courtyard and the auditorium open space.
The South Courtyard incorporates an area to grow trees from saplings to small boxed trees for two to three years when they would then be transplanted to other locations on campus. Students would have the chance to take care of trees until they are mature enough to be moved.
In addition to providing outdoor learning spaces, the project is focusing on the underutilized concrete paving on the campus. The goal is to replace the concrete pavement with materials that will reduce solar heat gain and allow infiltration of water runoff like trex decking, decomposed granite, grass. The trees and plants are strategically placed throughout the site to increase shade.