Project Data: 

Completion Date:     8/27/2025 

Square Footage:      34000 

Building Use:           Multi-purpose high school gymnasium for athletics, training, events, and student wellness. 

Project Description: 

As the latest phase in an ongoing campus transformation, the new 34,000-square-foot gymnasium at Los Alamitos High School plays a critical role in advancing the District’s mission to support the "Four A's": Academics, Athletics, Activities, and the Arts. This multi-functional facility anchors the northern edge of the campus and serves as a gateway to the athletic zone, reinforcing a strategic master planning framework that prioritizes student safety, spatial clarity, and long-term adaptability.

The placement of this facility builds upon the success of the District’s new STEM building, a previous collaboration that reoriented the heart of campus and created a new front entry. That move redefined campus access and preserved the rear of the site for athletic expansion. With the gymnasium now positioned to augment the athletic zone, the project elevates sports and wellness as integral to the student experience while supporting broader community use.

Designed to accommodate the full student body, the building centers on a three-court gymnasium with 2,000-seat retractable bleachers, supported by four team rooms, a weight training suite with outdoor plyometric areas, a film room, and dual concessions. It supports court sports such as basketball, volleyball, and cheer, as well as field sports, large-scale events, and daily instruction. Public-facing restrooms and concessions are zoned to remain accessible while allowing the athletic core to be secured.

At the building’s front, the abstract geometry of the entry canopy evokes the motion of a griffin wing, symbolizing the school’s mascot and spirit of athletic pride. The double-height, glass-enclosed lobby serves as a civic focal point, with clear sightlines to all three gym entrances and visible circulation. Natural daylight activates the space by day, while at night, it becomes an illuminated beacon for the campus. Inside, a curated Hall of Champions and graphic displays celebrate the storied history of Los Alamitos athletics.

Technology is fully integrated, with AV systems, smart displays, digital scoring, and a filming platform supporting both instruction and performance. These tools are coordinated with lighting and acoustics to create a cohesive user experience.

Sustainability and wellness guide the design. High-efficiency HVAC, LED lighting with sensors, low-flow plumbing, and a Building Management System reduce energy use and optimize comfort. Interior spaces prioritize daylighting, air quality, and acoustic control to support student health and focus.

Material selections balance durability, low maintenance, and campus cohesion. Brick is reintroduced at eye level to add warmth to an increasingly institutional campus palette, referencing donor pavers and echoing the STEM building. Lightweight metal panels wrap the rear façade in a vertical rhythm that avoids a tilt-up appearance while reinforcing visual continuity. Los Alamitos blue is used with intention, and inspirational words like “Teamwork” are integrated into the exterior, reinforcing pride and identity.

This gymnasium is more than an athletic venue. It is a strategic investment in the future of Los Alamitos High School, expanding the campus’s physical and symbolic infrastructure and expressing a commitment to the whole student: mind, body, and spirit. 

Design for Integration, Design for Equitable Communities, Design for Well-being, Design for Change 

Design for Integration
The gymnasium is the result of strategic campus planning and interdisciplinary coordination. Its location reinforces a long-term vision that began with the repositioning of the STEM building, enhancing the front entry sequence and preserving the rear of campus for athletic development. The gym now anchors the athletic zone and serves as a connective gateway for both students and the broader community. Architecture, systems, branding, and user flow are integrated to support daily use and major events alike. Material continuity, including the use of brick and coordinated metal panel detailing, ties the facility to the evolving campus fabric while reinforcing identity.

Design for Well-being
The design supports physical, mental, and social wellness through a range of training environments, outdoor fitness zones, and flexible spaces for large gatherings. The double-height, glass-enclosed lobby provides transparency and intuitive wayfinding, while also serving as a daylit public space for recognition and celebration. At night, it glows from within, showcasing the Hall of Champions and athletic graphics that honor the school’s legacy. Healthy materials, daylighting, acoustic comfort, and clean air contribute to a high-performance interior environment that promotes student focus, pride, and belonging.

Design for Change
Flexibility is central to the program. The facility supports indoor and outdoor athletics, campus assemblies, and community events. Public amenities are zoned to allow selective access, and support spaces such as team rooms, concessions, and weight rooms are adaptable to multiple sports and users. The building also accommodates future growth and continues the phased implementation of the District’s long-range master plan, allowing for continued evolution of the campus without disruption to student life.

Design for Equitable Communities
By providing field sports with restrooms and concessions for the first time, and ensuring universal access to all major spaces, the project promotes equity across campus programs. Public entries are clearly defined and accessible, while secure internal circulation maintains safety. School colors and inspirational words like “Teamwork” are embedded into the architecture to uplift and unify the student body. The project directly supports the District’s commitment to the Four A’s, Academics, Athletics, Activities, and the Arts, ensuring all students benefit from thoughtful, inclusive design. 

Firm Name:              Madison Meehan 

Completion Date:     8/27/2025 

Square Footage:      34000 

Building Use:           Multi-purpose high school gymnasium for athletics, training, events, and student wellness. 

Location:                 Los Alamitos, CA 

Design Architect: 

Ken Ong 

Associate Architect or Firm: 

Roy Frey 

Landscape Architect: 

N/A 

Owner / Developer: 

Los Alamitos Unified School District 

Engineer: 

Coast Engineering
PEI Engineering
RTM Engineering Consultants
AG Design Engineering 

General Contractor: 

Erickson-Hall Construction 

Consultant: 

N/A 

Photographer: 

N/A