Santa Rita School

Narratives

Architect Narrative

This public school in Los Altos, California was a typical finger plan suburban school built in stages during the 1950’s and 1960’s, with a multipurpose building added in the 70s. The project included modernization of existing buildings and addition of new kindergarten and upper level classrooms. The original, almost identical rows of classrooms were arrayed along a covered walkway spine creating a relentless campus of buildings with space left over in between. New interventions ranged from outdoor “patios” adjacent to each classroom and skylights in the existing walkway, to new rooms and buildings. The new buildings define and shape a new outdoor kindergarten space, rationalized pick-up/drop-off, and sheltered waiting area. These interventions completely changed the operation, look and feel of the campus, creating a hierarchy of outdoor circulation and social spaces and expanding teaching space into previously wasted outdoor areas.

The new kindergarten classrooms and the modernized classroom wing converted to the school office present a brand new front to the community. The resulting modernization is a true re-visioning. Students and community members routinely refer to their school as “new” despite the fact that it is predominantly modernized. A major goal of the project was to ensure that modernized classrooms would be equal in quality to any new classrooms, and designed to last for another thirty years before being modernized again.

The new single story classroom buildings use similar materials to the existing buildings: asphalt shingles, cement plaster and aluminum windows. New roofs, windows, walkways, and a careful use of wood siding and soffits with galvanized decking at the canopies add visual and tactile interest. Teaching walls, with sliding white boards in front of storage, are pushed out through the building wall in the new kindergartens to provide articulation along the street facade, and also to minimize the size of the unit within the classroom. We show our work, revealing how the buildings are made and thought about, and how new and existing structures have been combined.

Sustainable Environments
The design used daylighting, natural ventilation, green materials, and adaptive reuse of existing structures to exemplify an attitude of responsibility and ongoing economy in resource use. Every classroom, new or modernized, has large north-facing clerestories functioning as sources of diffuse light. Clerestories are placed immediately adjacent to the ceiling in order to maximize reflected daylight. Compensatory lighting controls regulate the use of electric lights to minimize energy use when daylight is sufficient, providing only enough electric light necessary to supplement natural daylight. HVAC units are supplemented by automatic operation of clerestory windows, to draw fresh air in from louvers low on the outside walls when air temperatures are appropriate. With the lighting and increased insulation, the school beats California’s Title 24 requirements by at least 30%. Existing windows were reused and new windows installed with standard, easily replaced single glazing. Occupancy sensors and door contacts limit operation of lights and HVAC when the room is vacant or doors are open. The tackable wall finish is a green linoleum material.

Educator Narrative

In August 2004 our school returned from a year off site while Phase 1 modernization took place. 537 students began the school year with a “There’s No Place Like Home” first day assembly, with Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion in attendance and the principal taking on the role of the great Oz. Teachers, students and parents have now had the opportunity to live in our “new” facilities for eight months, and the general response has been one of pride and improved work environments for children and adults.

From the beginning, our school was involved by the architectural firm in design concepts and priorities. A school committee of teachers, parents and principal met regularly with the firm and found the architects to be sensitive to our interests and responsive to our needs. Committee members wanted an efficient and effective teaching environment, married with an emphasis on natural and environmentally friendly systems. We wanted to preserve the special features of the school, including the large playground and fields areas, a very unique park setting and an open, accessible campus to the surrounding neighbors and community. All of these needs were acknowledged and incorporated into the planning.

Classrooms were designed to increase the natural light source using clerestory windows and automatic light sensors. The classroom HVAC systems were designed for high efficiency and with adequate sound proofing. Moveable teaching walls with sliding white boards and additional storage have been will utilized. Improved electrical, voice and data systems have allowed teachers to incorporate technology more readily and to improve home/school communications via e-mail, voice mail and individual phone accessibility.

The classroom instructional setting was expanded to include an outdoor teaching area, raised planter and natural landscaping. These patio areas replaced flat asphalt spaces and are utilized regularly. Native species have been used for all landscaping, including trees like oak, western redbud and California buckeye.

The campus consists of a series of bar buildings that run in an east-west orientation. The architects suggested breaking the dullness of these wings by adding cedar wood siding, raised clerestory windows, a simple paint scheme and raised rooflines. The effect has been one of openness, spaciousness and naturalness.

The front parking lot was expanded to increase parking spaces and improve the flow of traffic. A specific pickup and drop-off site was designed to include a covered waiting area and attractive focal point for the school.

Staff support areas were greatly improved and integrated into a main office, staff workroom, and staff lounge building. Staff restrooms, which were at a minimum, were added and student restrooms were upgraded, including auto flush toilets and electric hand dryers, further increasing energy conservation and environmentally friendly practices.

Overall, the response to our “new” school has been overwhelmingly positive. The staff, students and parents applaud the efforts of this architect to develop an integrated, modern yet natural setting in which to work and study.