Redwood Day School - Oakland, California

School campuses evolve over time. We have worked along with the Redwood Day School community through many phases of their development. In 2001, Miller Company began working with the school as the campus was being transformed to accommodate the growth of the student body. Major changes were needed to remake the campus from what was formerly the site of the Oakland/Piedmont Jewish Community Center. In our initial effort we collaborated with Herman Coliver Architecture to design expanded classroom facilities and provide supportive recreation and outdoor learning spaces throughout the campus. Our work included a playground for the Lower School, a learning garden, a large open sports field with social areas in the new middle school quad, and landscape upgrades to the school entry and parking area.

We were invited back to the school in 2014 to collaborate with the architectural firm Starkweather Bondy as the school continued to evolve. A new Master Plan was drawn, setting the course for continued growth of the school. Our firms collaborated to design a combined Lower and Middle School classroom building located in the center of the campus and changes to the landscape. Our plans included a rainwater garden–an important feature of the school’s education about sustainability. In this phase we designed a new open air classroom area, an outdoor lunch area, and a central court that is used for school performances, ball play, and social activity. In 2017 the school recognized that the Lower School playground was aging and needed some love. With that we were invited back to redesign this area. Understanding that the playground was not only a vital feature for the school’s students, but was also important as a symbol of the school’s attitude since it is located directly in line with the school entry. Making a good first impression to everyone that comes to the school, the new playground features nature based play set within a backdrop of towering redwood trees. The new playground provides components for frolicking fantasy, open explorations and contemplative activity.

We have been fortunate to work with the Redwood Day School community over many years and commend the campus on their understanding of the importance of keeping a consistent and steady hand on the creation of a well-integrated campus environment.   

2001 School Expansion
Architect: Herman Coliver Locus Architecture
MCLA Team: Maya Nagasaka

2017 School Expansion
Architect: Starkweather Bondy Architecture  
MCLA Team: Maya Nagasaka