Judges' Comments
- N/A
Project Data:
Completion Date: 2/1/2018
Square Footage: 41400
Building Use: High School Classrooms, Early Education Classrooms
Location: 6702 Wandermere Dr, San Diego, CA 92120
Project Description:
Part of a comprehensive whole site modernization effort, the Patrick Henry High School 2-Story classroom finds itself one of the final stages in creating a net zero energy campus, and ridding the campus of modular classrooms for the first time in nearly 35 years.
Various high performance strategies have been implemented. Derived as an extension of the original 1960’s overall campus finger plan, the project takes advantage of its east west orientation and opens each learning space completely to the north, flooding them with natural indirect daylight. Temperate San Diego climate is utilized via operable windows on the north glazed curtain walls, naturally ventilating each learning space. The south walls of each classroom are heavily insulated, providing manageable and efficient thermal comfort. 300+ photovoltaic panels will adorn the roof and south façade, capturing an anticipated 107% of the buildings yearly energy needs, and will contribute to existing energy accumulation already in place on existing adjacent classroom buildings. Ultimately the installation of freestanding photovoltaic array shade structures at the main parking lot will close the energy loop for the campus.
Learning space, specifically for the subjects of history and math at a high school level, have traditionally resided within the enclosed ‘classroom’, in which notions of outdoor learning and flexible space are deemed secondary. Current curriculum begins to challenge this notion, and the Patrick Henry Classroom Building provides a vessel in which the enclosed ‘classroom’ is questioned.
Further, the typology of the double-loaded corridor continues to challenge, typically deriving from constraints of density, restricted real estate, and the search for structural efficiency. With such parameters defined, two main opportunities arise; how to offer functioning learning spaces within transitional circulatory zones, and providing natural daylight in an egalitarian way, especially for ground level interior space. The Patrick Henry Classroom Building looks to activate both by pulling this double-loaded typology apart.
To provide moments of outdoor learning within and adjacent to the project, a diverse range of landscaped and building transitional spaces are ‘slowed’, allowing students to stop, rest, and define social interactions. The main staircase widens to create informal seating and presentation space, and the three classroom wings separate, creating a primary and fully exterior circulatory artery, nearly 25 feet wide, doubling as gathering and outdoor classroom areas. This release also gives way to large light wells that pour light to the ground level breezeway and classroom north faces. Additional landscaping surrounding the building frames and defines a multitude of outdoor learning, presentation, and study areas.
The building consists of 24 general classrooms and 2 ROP classrooms, which serve as a functioning preschool/daycare and observation room. Careful consideration was made to separate age groups and student/parent drop-off, allowing the ROP to occupy ground level within the west wing, with fenced play yard directly adjacent. A flexible lecture hall/classroom area resides atop the ROP classrooms.
C.O.T.E. | Committee on the Environment
Submitted By: |
Leo Johnson, AIA |
Design Architect: |
PJHM Architects, Inc. |
Associate Architect or Firm: |
N/A |
Landscape Architect: |
Integrated Design Group, LLP |
Owner / Developer: |
San Diego Unified School District |
Engineer: |
VCA - Structural PMPE - Mechanical / Plumbing FBA Engineering - Electrical SLR - Civil |
General Contractor: |
Peter Vander Werff Construction, Inc. |
Consultant: |
Capital Engineering - Energy |
Photographer: |
N/A |
Patrick Henry High School 2-Story Classroom Building
Category
Commercial