Serving approximately 2,300 students across a series of adaptively reused buildings along Santa Ana’s Main Street arts corridor, the Orange County School of the Arts needed a shared outdoor space that could support campus life, creativity, and connection.

Today, the space features expansive turf areas, shaded seating and dining zones, pathways, murals, and an iconic bleacher stair that connects the green to the second-floor cafeteria terrace. Repurposed shipping containers frame the site, providing flexible study spaces, outdoor seating, and a food kiosk that supports daily student needs. An underutilized space beneath the Humanities Tower was also transformed into a student lounge and study hall that opens directly onto the Green.

The project was implemented in phases, beginning with temporary installations of seating, shade structures, and containerized trees that allowed the design team to test programming and observe how students naturally used the space. Once all parking was relocated offsite, the lot was reclaimed as a people-centered campus destination.

Sustainability was a key driver of the design. Approximately 35 new trees dramatically increase shade and comfort, while drought-tolerant planting and artificial turf reduce water demands. Deep drywells capture and infiltrate all onsite stormwater, reducing impervious surfaces by nearly 50% and supporting groundwater recharge.

The Campus Green unifies OCSA’s dispersed campus while providing a flexible setting for gathering, studying, and performance.