A living classroom connecting teachers and students to nature

The K-12 Rise School in East Point, GA hired Trellis to breathe life into an empty school courtyard flanked by classroom windows.  Trellis’s vision for the space was to create a native plant garden to be a living classroom to connect teachers and students to nature first-hand.  Native plant gardens provide both food and habitat for critical pollinating insects and are a foundation for understanding ecological concepts, while also enjoying the simple beauty of the plants, butterflies and bees.

Trellis worked closely with Trees Atlanta installing flowering trees to create vertical elements for the space. Trellis also installed several donated metal art pieces, and created an outdoor workspace for students with tables and chairs for learning and creativity.

The positive feedback from teachers and students began before the project was even finished. Every tree, shrub, plant, and piece of art was visible to all the students and teachers around this garden. Teachers and students were excited about seeing color and texture and life instead of brick and concrete. We were successful in creating an inviting and intriguing new classroom for everyone to enjoy!