Menlo-Atherton HS – STEM
Dances with Trees
The Menlo-Atherton High School STEM Building had two big challenges. Namely two enormous existing Oak Trees that occupied the site. The resulting design fully utilized the trees to embraces sustainable design strategies of human experience, health and wellness and water & energy through a dialogue with the trees.
The L-shaped building creates a shared courtyard which is shaded by the broad canopy of the Oak. The same tree helps to shade the building from southern and western sun. The leaves of their canopies allow filtered daylight to fill classrooms oriented toward the new courtyard.
Entwined with the Oaks, the design of the STEM building is informed by the natural system of trees. The oversized gutter, exterior facade, and circulation are each inspired by the leaves, bark, and roots of a tree.