Jefferson School Adaptive Reuse

A landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, the Jefferson School in California is undergoing a bold transformation that honors its past while embracing a new future. The nearly 100-year-old site will be adaptively reused to include creative office spaces, 109 residential units, and townhomes, bringing renewed life and purpose to this historic campus. ATLAS Lab’s landscape design approach is rooted in preservation and reinterpretation. By referencing the original site geometries and architectural rhythms, the landscape honors the school’s historic character while introducing refined, contemporary elements that enhance usability and beauty. The outdoor spaces are designed to serve both tenants and the surrounding community, offering elegant and welcoming areas for gathering, relaxation, and connection. The result is a thoughtful integration of old and new, where landscape architecture plays a central role in maintaining the site’s legacy while supporting its evolution into a vibrant, mixed-use environment.