How seismic safety, sustainable operations, and student well-being shaped this educational design project
Preserved Moss Walls in Proof School’s New San Francisco Campus
Oct 28, 2025
Introduction
In 2024, Proof School relocated to 221 Main Street in San Francisco, expanding its footprint to more than 34,500 square feet. Designed by Jensen Architects, the new campus transforms a Class A office tower into a dynamic learning environment. As part of the interior build-out, Wildleaf installed two monumental preserved moss walls—bringing not only visual impact but measurable improvements in safety, sustainability, and student experience.
Structural Safety and Seismic Resilience
San Francisco’s seismic conditions demand strict compliance with building safety codes. For educational facilities, this means every interior component must be lightweight, fire-rated, and securely anchored.
Preserved moss panels are engineered for this context:
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ASTM E84 Class A fire rating ensures fire safety compliance.
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PET acoustic backing provides a stable, lightweight base that reduces seismic load compared to other wall materials.
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Anchoring systems secure installation in a high-rise environment where resilience is critical.
By integrating moss walls into the architectural envelope, the school enhances safety while maintaining design ambition.
Design Innovation and Problem Solving
Sustainable Operations in Education
Education facilities often face ongoing budget constraints, making operational efficiency as important as design quality. Living walls, while visually appealing, demand irrigation, grow lights, fertilizers, and frequent plant replacement—creating an expensive maintenance cycle.
Preserved moss walls eliminate these concerns:
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Zero water, energy, or chemicals throughout their lifecycle.
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8–10 years of consistent performance without ongoing maintenance contracts.
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Up to 70–80% lifecycle cost savings compared to living walls.
For Proof School, this approach aligns with LEED and WELL principles while keeping long-term operations sustainable.
Design Innovation and Problem Solving
Supporting Student Well-being
Acoustic comfort is central to effective learning. In hard-surface interiors, reverberation can exceed recommended levels, impacting speech clarity and student focus. With NRC ≥1.0 acoustic absorption, moss panels reduce noise fatigue and improve clarity in both classrooms and collaborative areas.
Beyond acoustics, biophilic design enhances the student experience. Research shows that exposure to natural elements improves concentration, reduces stress, and supports cognitive recovery. At Proof School, the moss walls provide restorative moments that complement rigorous academic schedules, contributing to a healthier learning environment.
Design Innovation and Problem Solving
A Replicable Model for Educational Design
The Proof School project illustrates how preserved moss walls can deliver more than aesthetics. By integrating seismic safety, sustainable operations, and biophilic benefits, moss panels provide a scalable solution for schools, libraries, and civic institutions—anywhere wellness, safety, and sustainability must converge.
Call to Action
At Wildleaf, we design and deliver sustainable interior solutions that merge safety, performance, and human well-being. Explore more of our wellness projects to see how design impacts health and productivity.