Innovations Academy
San Diego, California
Status: Built
John Hreno’s work at Ground Level Landscape Architecture
An inquiry-based K–8 campus where biophilic outdoor learning labs invite students to explore, connect, and thrive.
Entrance planting
Explore the stream environment
Stone seating space
Nature play in the citrus grove
Bridges
Climbing structures abound
Follow the leader
Aerial view
Concept sketch 1
Concept sketch 2
Colorful masterplan with inspiration images
The Innovations Academy is a K-8 public charter school on a large suburban site in San Diego, California. The adaptive reuse of a vacant office building posed a challenge: reinvent learning environments into dynamic, collaborative, and innovative experiences for students. Through creative engineering and innovative planning, these goals were achieved. The site was designed to accommodate school traffic and nature-based outdoor learning experiences within the 2.5-acre site. As an inquiry-based campus, the school structures its programs through self-expression, compassionate connection, and purposeful learning, creating an environment in which students feel encouraged to explore and learn.
Project year
2022
Status
Built
John’s role
Exterior design and garden design
Project area
2.5 acres
Client
San Diego USD
Landscape elements
Collaborative multi-grade multi-age environments Nature studies outdoor learning labs Fitness lab and gymnasium Outdoor challenge course Multiple biophilic play and learning experiences
Architecture
Baker Nowicki
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