Building the Future: Sustainable Design at Evergreen Charter School

Evergreen Charter School is a five storey school building currently under construction in Hempstead, Long Island, NY. This project is a prime example of the benefits of mass timber in modern architectural design. We spoke with Giulia Alimonti, AIA, LEED AP, the Vice President of Building Envelope Services at Entuitive, to discuss this impactful project.

Tell us about the project, Giulia.

Giulia: Absolutely. Evergreen Charter School is a green school building and one of the first CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) schools on the East Coast of the US. Entuitive is the building envelope consultant for this project, and we’re working with Martin Hopp Architect, the design architect, which has been great. The school’s design prioritizes sustainability, incorporating low embodied carbon and carbon storage. A stand-out feature is the cafeteria, which is constructed completely from timber. Overall, the school’s design reflects the commitment to both aesthetics and environmental responsibility to give children an inspiring learning environment. The Evergreen Charter School is set to open at the end of this year, and we’re very happy to be part of the design construction team, and proud to work on this sustainable architecture project.

What have been some challenges you've faced?

Giulia: Though not necessarily a challenge, the use of different materials on the complex exterior of the building required meticulous attention. Ensuring there is a seamless transition from one material to another on the exterior was crucial to avoiding gaps where potentially water or air might enter through. The design and construction teams successfully managed to maintain the building envelope’s integrity while also meeting this project’s high standards of sustainability.

What was your favourite part of the project?

Giulia: The fact that this project is a school that aims to provide children a beautiful and natural space to learn in the setting of sustainability. Evergreen Charter School is located in one of Nassau County’s most underserved communities and will provide the local youth an alternative to local public schools. Students in this area may not be regularly exposed to green architecture and concepts of sustainability, and this project acts as inspiration for integrating such into their education. Additionally, this school will serve as a community space to enhance and strengthen community engagement.

---

Thanks so much for sitting down with us Giulia, so we could learn more about this great project at Entuitive.

If you’d like to learn more about the Evergreen Charter School project, please reach out to Giulia Alimonti.