Evergreen Charter School in Hempstead, Long Island, is the first major mass timber building in New York State and among the East Coast’s earliest mass timber K–12 schools. This five-story, 89,000-sf building includes classrooms, specialized educational spaces, recreational areas like a gymnasium, cafeterias, gardens, and a rooftop soccer pitch that generates 44% of the building's energy through solar panels. Targeting LEED Platinum certification, the school exemplifies sustainability, community engagement, and healthy design.

Mass timber, highlighted in this project, significantly reduces a building's carbon footprint compared to concrete and steel. It provides rapid construction, fire resistance, and thermal efficiency, creating inviting, educational environments. Despite its benefits, New York currently lacks a local supply chain for mass timber, relying instead on imported materials. Developing a local supply chain could leverage the state's extensive forests, promote rural economies, create skilled jobs, and position New York as a leader in sustainable construction and circular economy practices.

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