Braeside School, Highland Park, Illinois

• Designed in 1928 by John Van Bergen, Braeside School is an excellent example of the Prairie School of design, for which it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Van Bergen was greatly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright for whom he worked for many years before moving to Highland Park. There he also became imbued with his neighbor Jens Jensen's philosophy and shared his respect for native materials and the landscape. The school's rough-faced stratified Wisconsin limestone base anchors the building to its surroundings. The long low facade with its broad overhanging eaves and ribbons of casement windows intercepted by bands of stucco reflect the strong horizontal aesthetic characteristic of the Prairie School.
• In 2003 The City of Highland Park undertook a massive overhaul of all of the schools in District 112. NLH was granted the contract to develop and implement landscape improvements for nine schools in the district. Braeside School represents one of these successful renovations. The goal here was to enhance the architecture of the building by nestling it into a native prairie landscape that could serve as a learning environment for the children.
• When the project began, overgrown juniper and yew shrubs as well as a sea of compacted earth and patches of grass surrounded the building. Only a serviceberry, crabapple and spruce tree planted by the PTO were deemed worthy of transplanting.
• After amending the plant beds, native trees were added including redbud, dogwood and crabapple. A Japanese Maple, which accents the brown trim on the building and was a favorite of Frank Lloyd Wright, was strategically placed near one of the entry doors.
• A new plant palette of red twig dogwood, viburnums, low growing sumac and juniper add structure and color to the foundation. Perennials including native asters, grasses, black-eyed susan, sedum, daylilies and daffodils continue the four seasons of interest.
• The impression created is that of an inviting home in a beautiful yard rather than a school. The bird population has thrived and has provided another wonderful educational tool. Benches placed at the main entrance provide a welcome spot for parents to chat before and after school hours.