Verde Design was retained by Mount Diablo Unified School District (District) to design new perimeter, low water/low maintenance plant material along the perimeter of its Oak Grove Middle School (School) campus, as well as improve the interior spaces of the School between classroom buildings in multiple phases.
Phase I of the work involved the renovation of the existing natural grass play field and surrounding landscaping along the property lines, as well as a new irrigation system and stormwater management infrastructure. Verde Design worked with District staff to select the appropriate grass type and drought-resistant, maintenance-friendly plant materials. New irrigation product options were also reviewed with District staff, and the appropriate materials were selected to best suit the District’s needs and address its maintenance concerns.
Phase II addressed the School frontage and drop-off areas, as well as highly-traveled outdoor student spaces between classroom buildings. Most of the existing space was essentially bare dirt with old original school amenities.
The District and School administration reviewed initial design ideas presented by Verde Design, and then feedback was provided on site layout, proposed material options and colors, and plant palette choices and colors. An iterative schematic and design development process was completed, and the finished product included block seat walls with decorative facing, raised planters for a school garden, of low maintenance and water usage landscape materials focusing on School colors, and enhancing the mature shade trees for student gathering spaces.
