Charles Krekelberg of Samsel Architects in Asheville, NC recently collaborated with students from Evergreen Community Charter School and AB-Tech to design and build an outdoor classroom on the ECCS campus. Sixth graders from Evergreen were taught how to use computer software to create three-dimensional designs for the outdoor space. These designs were then put into the hands of college level AB-Tech students who developed a single hybrid design that reflected the most educationally engaging features from the original designs. ECCS students and teachers and the AB-Tech students worked along side Green Opportunities trainees and volunteers from the community to build the outdoor classroom.  Features of the space include a hempcrete storage shed, expansive gardens and a covered classroom with a cob oven.

To read more about the project and see images, visit Samsel Architect’s blog at http://samselarchitects.com/?blog-entry=educational-collaboration-at-an-asheville-charter-school.