In Herndon, Virginia, a D.C. suburb, this Trammell Crow Company project provides kindergarten through 12th grade schooling for children of Saudi nationals. In addition to the school building, the campus includes two small office buildings, three courtyards, two outdoor classrooms, a competition soccer field, playgrounds, parking areas, and a stream valley trail system. LSG provided site design, construction documents and construction phase services for both hardscape features and plantings.
Near the main building forecourt and bus drop-off/loading area, granite-clad walls define a quiet, contemplative area lined with integral stone benches. A granite-clad fountain in the shape of an eight-pointed star serves as the focus. Large, shaped trees (and other details throughout the project) repeat this star motif prominent in Islam.
The designers sited athletic facilities and play areas in close proximity to related indoor spaces. Two outdoor classroom spaces take the form of small amphitheaters for informal classes, including teaching opportunities related to the stream valley corridor. Wildflower meadows are planted along the trail system and on other parts of the property not programmed for other uses.