El Cerrito High School El Cerrito, CA New Construction Project of Distinction WLC Architects, Inc Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

El Cerrito High School

Contextual Environment Community Environment: Situated on a scenic hill in the East Bay of San Francisco Bay Area, the El Cerrito High School, originally built in 1934, has amazing views of the San Francisco Bay as well as the Golden Gate Bridge. This historic structure offered many opportunities to its students, but after several studies and cost analyses, it was determined that the facility need to be replaced due to antiquated buildings and systems which directly impacted the educational program established by the district’s administration and board of trustees.

Theater Community Environment: Continued… An overriding concern for the district was the community process and their participation throughout the design of the new campus. Several meetings with community groups were held during the programming phase of the project to ensure their desire were heard and incorporated into the design. The new school would support many active community groups, and the location of the buildings on the 15.7 acre site would have significance to residence sharing the views. The architectural exterior vocabulary specifically asked by the community was that the buildings withstand the test of time. This dictated the choice of material and color that compliment and arrive from the neighborhood environment.

Music Classroom Learning Environment: The 210,000 square foot new campus is organized around a courtyard creating an inner sanctum nurturing student and staff interaction and the learning environment. The public buildings, Administration, Library, Gymnasium and Theater are located near the streets with the classroom buildings placed away from the noise and distraction. Through the use of multi-level covered walks and exterior stairs and terraces circulation takes place both inside and outside allowing students to interact with the natural surroundings and helping to avoid inclement weather when going between buildings.

Library Learning Environment: Continued The design supports the current departmental organization but allows the adaptability for Small Learning Communities. Separating the classrooms into three wings with support spaces for staff offices, work rooms and conference spaces encourages and allows interaction among staff and students. Each classroom is shared by two teachers. To accommodate their professional equipment lockable storage was provided within the teaching walls.

Quad Exterior Physical Environment – Narrative Three essential programs at El Cerrito High School are the Community Health Project, the Radio Station and Tech Futures. These three programs, in additional to being part of the school curriculum also integrated a community component as support and involvement with the school.

Front Entrance Interior Physical Environment – Continued Classrooms window opening were designed flush with the ceiling, allowing for the reflection off the ceiling relayed natural daylight throughout the space. A photovoltaic system was installed to provide 145 kilowatts generating electricity that allows the district to offset operating costs.

Trophy Display Planning Process: Narrative Building the future from the past was a part of the community theme. Through a community archive committee items a museum space was created for display of collected items from the old school. Tiles from the old drinking fountains were built into the new ones, original clocks and old mascot tile mosaics were placed throughout the campus.

Design Phase Renders Planning Process: Continued The New El Cerrito High School project was a like-for-like replacement and therefore qualified for modernization funding through the Office of Public School Construction. Additionally it qualified for 50-year old school additional grants which supplemented the overall construction budget.

Floor plan

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Data Submitting Firm :WLC Architects, Inc. Project RoleArchitect Project ContactJackie Bassman TitleProject Designer, Associate Address2600 Tenth Street, Suite 500 City, State or Province, CountryBerkeley, CA, USA Phone(510) Joint Partner Firm:N/A Project RoleN/A Project ContactN/A TitleN/A AddressN/A City, State or Province, CountryN/A PhoneN/A Other Firm:N/A Project RoleN/A Project ContactN/A TitleN/A AddressN/A City, State or Province, CountryN/A PhoneN/A Construction Firm:SGI Construction Management Project RoleConstruction Manager Project ContactLew Brower TitleConstruction Manager Address1300 Potrero Avenue City, State or Province, CountryRichmond, CA, USA Phone(510)

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Details Project Name El Cerrito High School City El Cerrito State CA District Name West Contra Costa Unified School District Supt/President Dr. Bruce Harter Occupancy Date August 2008 Grades Housed 9-12 Capacity(students) 1600 Site Size (acres) 15.7 Gross Area (sq. ft.) 210,000 Per Occupant(pupil) 131 gross/net please indicate 203,000 Design and Build? N/A If yes, Total Cost: N/A Includes: N/A If no, Site Development: Included Building Construction: 80,526,000 Fixed Equipment: Included Other: Temporary Housing = 8,000,000 Total: 88,526,000

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