By Aaron JobsonÌý

During the post-World War II populationÌýboom,Ìýschool construction accelerated across the countryÌýasÌýschool systems swelled with new students. As many of theseÌý1950s- and 60s-eraÌýcampusesÌýare now 60Ìýto75 yearsÌýold,Ìýthey present schoolÌýdistrictsÌýwithÌýseveralÌýchallenges.ÌýÌý

ManyÌýagingÌýschoolÌýfacilitiesÌýare in need ofÌýrepair,Ìýfailing toÌýmeet current building code and safetyÌýstandards,ÌýandÌýrequiringÌýsignificant investment.ÌýCoinciding with this need,Ìýthe modernÌýapproach to educational and community programs,ÌýandÌýtheÌýunderstanding of the impact of learning environment quality on educational outcomesÌýhas changedÌýdramatically.ÌýOlder buildings may not provide the flexibility needed for next-generation learning,Ìýor the daylight, ventilation,Ìýand other features that support learning andÌýwellbeing.ÌýThis leaves manyÌýdistrictsÌýwithÌýthe complicated challenge ofÌýdeciding whether to modernize or replace existing campus buildings,Ìýall while continuing toÌýoperateÌýan active school.ÌýÌý

For each schoolÌýfacing theseÌýchallenges,Ìýit is best toÌýstart with a master-planning level analysis of modernization and replacement options. For eachÌýoptionÌýit is important to consider a variety of parameters,Ìýincluding:Ìý

• Existing building conditions,Ìýincluding needs forÌýcode andÌýstructural upgradesÌý
• ConstructionÌýbudgetÌý
• ScheduleÌýandÌýphasingÌý
• CampusÌýoperationsÌýandÌýsafetyÌýduring constructionÌý
• LearningÌýenvironmentÌýqualityÌýÌý
• Community impactÌý

Taking this holistic view ensures that the available funding is used to provide maximum benefit to education.ÌýÌýÌý

Looking at theÌýLong Term:ÌýLos Altos High SchoolÌý

In some cases, the best course of action is a combination of modernization and building replacement projects phased overÌýseveralÌýyears. At Los Altos High SchoolÌýinÌýCalifornia’sÌýSilicon Valley,Ìýa carefully planned sequence of projects over aÌý10-yearÌýperiodÌýreimagined a legacy mid-century campus into a flexible, student-centered learning environment that supports academic innovation, student wellness, career technical educationÌý(CTE),ÌýathleticsÌýand community engagement.ÌýÌý

Guided by a comprehensive campus-planning strategy with multi-layered community engagement,ÌýtheÌýmaster plan strengthened the relationships between academic buildings, student-centered outdoorÌýspacesÌýand shared community resources.ÌýSeveralÌýexisting buildings that could continue to support theÌýschool’s academicÌýprogramsÌýwere renovated to update worn-out finishes and systemsÌý—Ìýand someÌýmore extensivelyÌýto address code complianceÌýissuesÌýand reconfigure learning environments to provide more flexible and modern spaces.ÌýNew facilities include a classroom building, CTE building, student servicesÌýcenterÌýand auxiliary gym.ÌýPrioritizing flexibility and connections to the outdoors, these spaces expandÌýopportunitiesÌýfor learning and support student health and wellness.Ìý

The project was designed to achieveÌýa high levelÌýof sustainability with major projects achieving LEED certification.ÌýAll-electric HVAC systems and an extensive solar array combineÌýto significantly lower the environmental footprint of the campus.ÌýCareful project planning wasÌýrequiredÌýtoÌýallow construction to continue in phasesÌýwhile continuing operations of the schoolÌýwith as little disruption as possible.ÌýTogether, these projects haveÌýsignificantly transformed the campus into a high-performing, future-ready learning environment that directly supports student achievement,ÌýwellnessÌýand long-termÌýeducationalÌýgoals.Ìý

A Fresh Start:ÌýLake Elementary SchoolÌý

There are also manyÌýcasesÌýwhereÌýit makesÌýtheÌýmost senseÌýtoÌýcompletelyÌýstartÌýover. AtÌýLake Elementary School in San Pablo,ÌýCa.,Ìýthe buildingsÌýwere old and undersized and no longer supported the school’s educational programs or the needs of the surrounding community.ÌýThese challenges,Ìýand theÌýcost of upgrading the existingÌýfacilities,Ìýresulted inÌýa plan for a two-phase replacement of the existing campus on the same site.ÌýÌýÌý

The new elementary schoolÌýnowÌýservesÌý470 students inÌýgradesÌýtransitional kindergarten (TK) throughÌýgrade six. A welcoming front entrance provides administrative services and library space that can also accommodate community events after school hours.ÌýNewÌýclassrooms forÌýthe first through thirdÌýgradesÌýare housed within aÌýlearningÌýsuite; a conceptÌýin whichÌýeach classroom opens to a large, sharedÌýflexible spaceÌýto support a variety of teaching and learning approaches. A separate, similarÌýlearningÌýsuiteÌýsupportsÌýstudents in gradesÌýfour through six.ÌýFurther, aÌýdistinctÌýearly-childhood education cluster provides dedicated learning environmentsÌýand outdoor gathering and play areasÌýfor theÌýcampus’Ìýyoungest students.ÌýThe multi-purpose building,ÌýlocatedÌýin the heart of the campus, provides food service, indoorÌýandÌýoutdoor dining, and performance and gathering space.ÌýÌý

LakeÌýElementary School’sÌýnew campus was designed with significant input from the staff and community and features bright colors andÌýa strong senseÌýof identity to engage with theÌýcommunity and foster pride.ÌýÌý

Constructing the new campus while continuing to welcome students every dayÌýrequiredÌýcareful planning and collaboration. The first phase of construction built the new administration,ÌýlibraryÌýand classrooms on the existingÌýfields,Ìýleaving most of the existing buildings operational.ÌýFollowing this completion,ÌýtheÌýprojectÌýteam removed the remaining original buildings and constructed the new multi-purposeÌýroom, early childhood classrooms,ÌýplaygroundsÌýandÌýathleticÌýfields in their place.ÌýThe end resultÌýis a completely new campus that will serve the community many years into the future.ÌýÌýÌý

Read more in the Design & Construction Issue of 91ÊÓƵ, available now.

Aaron Jobson is president and CEO of Quattrocchi Kwok Architects in Santa Rosa and Oakland, Ca., and Castle Rock,ÌýColo.ÌýHeÌýis a member of the 91ÊÓƵ Editorial Advisory BoardÌýandÌýcan be reached atÌýaaronj@qka.com.Ìý

The post Phased Strategies to Achieve Modern Campus Transformations appeared first on 91ÊÓƵ.

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