BACKGROUND
Grover Cleveland High School, a public school in Los Angeles, California, was built in 1961 to accommodate 1,500 students. The original campus exemplified the mid-century style prevalent at the time and consisted of single-story classroom buildings with low-pitched roofs arranged in a finger-style layout, linked by a central covered walkway. This design scheme was a common feature in the rapidly growing Southern California communities.
CHALLENGE
To address the school’s rapidly growing enrollment, the district needed an innovative modernization to address ongoing educational needs and the impacts of overcrowding on the facilities and grounds.
The Los Angeles Unified School District’s campus created a new plan that included seven new buildings, which would add over 176,000 square feet—more than doubling the square footage of the existing facilities. The new buildings would provide space for performing arts, general and special education classrooms, science labs, drafting and engineering labs, a multimedia classroom, food service and dining, childcare, and campus support services. Additionally, the plan called for the modernization of two existing classroom buildings and a retrofit of the gymnasium.
Architecture firm, PBWS Architects, was chosen by the district and challenged with the task of creating a modern campus infused with biophilic elements that still honored the original mid-century design of the campus. To do so, the design team would need to implement an effective daylighting design.
SOLUTION
To assist in bringing natural light into the new spaces, as well as being true to the biophilic design goals, PBWS Architects used Kingspan Light + Air’s UniQuad wall systems, Quadwall translucent skylights and Briteway canopies. The design team integrated these products with other materials on the interior and exterior of the buildings, helping create clean lines that complement the facility’s geometric design while providing effective daylighting throughout the campus. The design team used UniQuad wall systems around classrooms and seating areas where students will conjugate, to provide ample natural lighting without excessive glare.
Kingspan Light + Air products are designed and engineered for long-term durability and can be custom designed to fit your project’s needs, including easy maintenance. The translucent walls and skylights feature removable skin technology, which is particularly useful in situations where access to a system is limited or challenging. With removable skin technology, individual exterior or interior panels can be removed and replaced without disturbing the surrounding panels or structure—making maintenance and replacement easier.
By utilizing the translucent wall and skylight systems, the campus is illuminated with soft, diffused natural light, avoiding harsh glare or heat caused by direct sunlight. Additionally, the exterior canopy shields students, faculty and staff from the weather while creating a bright and welcoming space.
RESULTS
Classrooms are lined with the UniQuad translucent wall system, and the new science atrium is equipped with a Quadwall skylight, delivering diffused daylight. The translucent walls are sometimes accompanied by glass glazing, allowing for light control plus views of the outside to connect building occupants to nature.
Interior circulation spaces were designed for social interaction. As a result of the thoughtfully planned daylighting design, corridor alcoves, breakout areas and seating spaces under stairs offer students a bright place to retreat without feeling isolated from the main social areas. These areas of refuge, along with lobby railings and corridor windows, provide opportunities for students to observe campus activities and engage with nature from a distance.
