Sunnyside Environmental Outdoor Classroom

As a member of the design team for the Sunnyside Environmental School Outdoor Classroom, I worked alongside PSU’s Center for Public Interest Design, City Repair, and Sunnyside students to co-create a sustainable, immersive learning space. The design draws from the geometry of a honeycomb, symbolizing ecological interconnection and supporting flexible zones for outdoor education. I contributed to the conceptual development, material selection, and refinement of design iterations that balanced creativity with feasibility—especially in adapting to structural and permitting constraints from Portland Public Schools.

The final design features cob walls and benches, integrated planting areas for native species, and natural ventilation strategies, all supporting the school’s climate education goals. Through hands-on elements like cob construction workshops and plant cultivation sessions, the project empowers students as active participants in shaping their learning environment. This collaboration embodies public interest design principles—centering community voices, sustainability, and educational impact.