Luther Burbank Elementary School

Burbank School District 111 passed a referendum in 2016 to fund the $40 million demolition and replacement of their existing K-6 elementary school. The new 84,000-square-foot Luther Burbank Elementary School reflects the legacy of its namesake, a horticultural pioneer and inventor that developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants, in every element of the campus.

Working closely with the architect, EEA incorporated the required stormwater infiltration facility into the outdoor classrooms. Primarily using native species, EEA’s landscape design created an outdoor learning space that is both attractive and educational for the students, faculty, and community.

One of the biggest challenges the project team faced was devising a phased approach that would ensure uninterrupted school operations throughout the construction process. With careful planning and execution, the students were able to transition seamlessly from the old school to the new school as the project progressed with the demolition of the original structure. The newly cleared site was repurposed to create recreation areas that included a soccer field, playground, and basketball courts. In order to provide a safe and more efficient traffic pattern, EEA’s civil design also included separate drop-off areas for students and staff.

The Luther Burbank Elementary School earned the CBC/COAA Owners’ Choice Award in 2019.