BNDS Case Study: Del Lago Academy by BakerNowicki Design Studio

2013: CASE STUDY

Client: Location:

Escondido Union High School District Escondido, CA

Design Team Architecture: Structural: Mechanical: Electrical: Civil: Landscape Cost Estimating: Food Service: Acoustics: Educational Planning: Commissioning: Environmental:

BakerNowicki Design Studio, LLP Wiseman+Rohy Structural Engineers MA Engineers, Inc. Johnson Consulting Engineers, Inc. Masson & Associates, Inc. Nowell & Associates Cumming Orness Design Group, Inc. Veneklasen Associates thinkSMART Planning, Inc. TMCx Solutions, LLC The Planning Center

Project Data Construction Dates: Construction Costs: Building Area: Site Area: Enrollment Capacity:

2011-2013 $55,000,000 143,782 SF 34 Acres 972 Students

2013: CASE STUDY

Del Lago Academy

Campus of Applied Science, a public high school in Escondido, combines a challenging academic program, demanding biotechnology / medical science pathway, work-based learning, and targeted student support services. The schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four design principles personalization, authentic learning experiences, ethic of excellence, and skilled professional teachers - will act in concert to support all students to excel in project-based learning, performance assessments, and internships. Earning a Del Lago Academy diploma will mean a student scholar, innovator, and world citizen is college AND career ready

CORE BELIEFS PERSONALIZATION

We believe learning is a social process and relationships are important. Students known as individuals, challenged intellectually, respected, supported, and connected to their learning will be successful. • Students take 3 to 4 academic classes at any one time during the school year. • Reduced teacher academic case load using alternative scheduling.

AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES

We believe students who are challenged intellectually by actively exploring real-world problems value their learning and are motivated to succeed. • Students engage in a demanding technical learning pathway through a cluster of three or more biotechnology and medical science courses. • Students work side-by-side with academic and industry professionals to apply academic and technical skills in the work place.

ETHIC OF EXCELLENCE

We believe students immersed in a school and community culture that fosters excellence will value their own accomplishments and strive for academic and social excellence. • Students build and maintain portfolios and document their work. • Students complete multiple drafts and accept critique and feedback from teachers and peers. • Students lead their own parent conference.

SKILLED PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS

We believe skilled teachers understand that students learn in different ways. They know a great deal about the learning process, and they use this knowledge to make the content accessible for diverse learners and support the learning process. • Teachers must be experts in their subject matter, the needs of diverse learners, and the learning process. • Teachers understand language learning and literacy development to support all students well, especially English learner students and students with learning differences.

The steel beams seen rising above the hill in western Escondido are Del Lago Academy - Campus of Applied Science. This new career technical academy campus for the Escondido Union High School District will provide students with a pathway to post-secondary education and careers. Designed to promote, support and prepare students for college study through two career technical education programs: Biotechnology and the Medical Sciences. Through a collaborative process in 2009 that included parents, students, Palomar-Pomerado Hospital, Palomar Community College, businesses and community members, the District expanded the educational options for its students. The campus is a small college and career prep-school for 800 students situated on a beautiful 36 acre parcel that overlooks the community of Escondido and has strategic views of the new state-of-the-art Pomerado Hospital. Through the use of green technology, native landscaping and optimal site placement, the school blends well into the neighborhood and surrounding community.

This magnet high school campus design creates the culture of a college campus while promoting a business world environment. Classroom spaces incorporate work place environmental design, project-based labs, a lecture hall and theatre style presentation space that encourages joint use with higher education and industry partners to provide greater opportunities for mentoring as role models. Alternative schedules will encourage students to enroll in community college classes, college and university course work and workplace study and internships during their high school experience. To address an educational focus on math and science identified by local community participants, the design team and district brought in PalomarPomerado Health professionals and Palomar Community College educators to help develop the vision for the academy. Since San Diego is ranked nationally as a hub for biotechnology, the school will provide a homegrown workforce that will prepare students to meet the future needs of the health care industry by providing a real world focus in a hands-on scientific environment. The design includes three main school buildings (an academic/lab building, administration building, and a multipurpose building) around a central courtyard totaling approximately 139,865 SF. Other uses provided in the twostory campus include media center, performing arts theater, gymnasium, and food services. Additional campus features include an outdoor amphitheater, parking areas and multipurpose playfields.

COLLABORATIVE DESIGN SYMPOSIUM

Site Feasibility Studies were conducted on 5 potential project sites.

The

site chosen was already owned by the District but was too small for a comprehensive high school.

The District solicited input from the community regarding potential support for a focused curriculum academy. Positive community reaction identified curricular goals that support the prevalent industries of the Escondido area: Medical Science and Biotechnology.

The District conducted a week long Design Symposium prior to bond election to develop the project vision and program, review site characteristics, encourage community support for the bond campaign.

The symposium participants included representatives from local bio-tech and medical science business enterprises, Palomar Community College and Palomar-Pomerado Hospital.

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“The strength of applications for the ninth grade reflect that we’re targeted in the right direction for what our community is interested in for their children,” Ed Nelson, EUHSD Superintendent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqqA6tFUlt4

LAND USE + SITE DESIGN The District owned the 36 acre parcel for many years before deciding that the Del Lago Academy would find its home there. The undeveloped site is completely surrounded by residential development. The existing topography and spectacular views of Escondido and surrounding countryside are preserved in the final design solution. Native habitat and species are respected and preserved by leaving undeveloped over 40% of the property. The Campusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; design carefully worked with the existing topography to reduce the amount of grading and habitat disturbance. The campus takes advantage of the prominent landform in the expression of the Architecture in context.

NEIGHBORS The Collaborative Design process involved input from many of the surrounding residents whose concerns are addressed in the design solution. Distance from Buildings to property boundaries, lines of sight, traffic ingress & egress, storm runoff, noise and light spillage were among the design criteria that were resolved in the design. Residents now find their views and privacy are preserved along with the sense of open space. The orientation and positioning of the campus buildings were carefully considered to minimally impact the neighborsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; views.

ENVIRONMENTAL The project as designed is consistent with the City of Escondido’s Community Open Space Plan and Conservation Element that seeks to minimize conflicts between resource protection and development. The design of the site resulted in a Level of Significance of ‘No Significant Impacts.’ Much of the acreage remains undeveloped and will be cared for with the goal of establishing a technical example of how Design and Environment can synthesize to create viable habitats for nature and enhanced human experience. Approximately one tenth of an acre of wetland area are preserved despite not having been considered significant due to lack of viable connection to jurisdictional areas of the Army Corps of Engineers. The 36 acre site was unoccupied and overgrown with non-native plant species. Over half of the 120 species found on site were non-native. The design team approached the site with the goal of preserving as much of the native species as possible. All areas of the site were cleared of most nonnative species and many native species were preserved. Coastal Sage and Live Oak were cared for throughout construction and remain in place and encouraged to grow throughout the site. Gnatcatchers, Reptiles and other species listed on the MHCP (Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan).

ARCHAEOLOGY In addition to being home to OVER 100 species of native flora and fauna, the site is significant due to the prevalence of native American artifacts found in abundance on site. Rock out-croppings throughout the site evidence centuries of use by native American tribes. Grinding Mortars are visible in several locations. These areas were carefully identified and protected during the design process, preserving the legacy of human habitation in the region.

LEGEND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Science Labs Core Curriculum Classrooms Medical Sciences Career/ Counseling Center Food Service Theater Art Classrooms Gymnasium Locker Rooms

5 6 7 8

9 FIRST LEVEL PLAN

10 11 12 13 14 15

Bio-Chem Labs Omni Room Administration Collaborative Resource Center Fitness Center Open to Below

12 13

15 15 15 14

SECOND LEVEL PLAN

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGIES

INNOVATIVE SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS

The Nursing Academy will provide students with exposure and experience in the types career opportunities available in the Escondido community. • Nurse, Physician/Nursing Assistant • Physical Therapist/Occupational Therapist • Laboratory Technician • Medical Assistant • EMT / Paramedic The Bio-Tech Academy will expose students to varied career opportunities in the Biomedical field that is prevalent in the local community. • Bio Engineering • Bio Medical Engineering • Molecular Engineering • Genetic Engineering

The Omni Classroom provides a flexible lecture area that encourages joint-use with the higher education and science industry partners to provide greater opportunities for mentoring and exposure: • Collaborative Instruction • District Board Meetings • In-Service Training • Student Government

The Fitness Center and Gymnasium Complex is designed to promote wellness for all students. The space was designed to mimic a commercial fitness gym similar to what is available publicly.

The Collaborative Resource Center combines the functions of a traditional Library with advanced technology solutions and collaborative student spaces for a dynamic and active space.

The Auditorium, designed for lecture/ demonstration and music, gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their learning and creativity. Fixed seating for 200.

SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE CONSCIOUS DESIGN

COOL ROOF

PHOTOVOLTAICS

PORCELAIN RAIN & HEAT SCREEN

One of the primary generators of internal building heat gain is through the roof. Using cool roof technology, the energy costs for the building can be reduced by up to 15% through high solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Cool Roofs also reduce heat island effects by not allowing sunlight to be converted to heat where it will be trapped by greenhouse gases.

Over 20,000 SF of photovoltaic arrays are to be installed onto buildings roofs and shade structures. Through SDG&Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Savings By Design program, the School District is able to offset their electrical needs through on-site generation while improving building performance and lessening the environmental impacts.

Exterior weather facing surfaces are held away from the wall structure. Rain screens create a gap that allows air to circulate across the vapor barrier. This removes condensation from the vapor barrier avoiding leaks and mold growth. The air gap also serves to reduce heat gain internal to the building by allowing air to circulate behind the tile before heat can be transferred from the tile to interior of the building.

Integrated Analysis techniques were used to improve the energy efficiency of building systems and promotes a Total Cost of Ownership approach to the design of complex facilities.

Del Lago Academy betters Californiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Title-24 energy requirements by 37% with 52 points for CHPS (Collaborative for LAND USE Care was taken to preserve the landform and topography to preserve the natural beauty and historical significance of the property. Maintaining the landform also preserves the historical runoff patterns thereby lessening the environmental impact on surrounding properties. Storm water is treated on site before release into the municipal storm water system.

High Performance Schools Certification) providing almost a million in state funding dollars for construction.

ABOUT BAKERNOWICKI DESIGN STUDIO The Baker Nowicki Design Studio team offers over 25 years of specialized services in the design of educational and municipal facilities. Headquartered in San Diego, California, the firm was formed by in 2011 by Jon Baker, FAIA, Richard Nowicki, AIA and Buddy Gessel, AIA. The firm’s principals have worked in partnership for over 15 years and have successfully completed over 100 projects for dozens of public and private educational clients. BakerNowicki Design Studio is dedicated to innovative designs based on conceptual approaches that integrate context, form and experience. Each project is a synergy of the idealized (desire) and the circumstantial (need). Each project presents an opportunity to integrate environments and people. Services are tailored to respond to the specific needs of clients and circumstances. The ability to identify unique solutions to complex project challenges has led to many innovative concepts that address programmatic needs, solve challenging project delivery issues and meet tough budget limitations. Essential to our creative process is the design of spaces that meet the needs of those for whom they are intended. Our desire is to design facilities that will provide memorable and positive experiences to all .

Design Leadership. • Actively listen to the client’s needs and wishes. • Work with urgency and make the client’s pressures our own. • Recognize that quality and innovation depend on rigor and exploration. • Foster an Accountability Culture for promise and commitment.

C O LLA BORA TI V E INTEGRATED INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE

Architecture Design & Engineering Interior Design Construction Administration Cost Estimating

Planning Feasibility & Site Selection Project Financial Analysis Master Planning

Education Funding OPSC Eligibility & Application Processing IPP & FPP development

Regulatory Processing State and Local Agency Approvals

Integrated Processes Building Information Modeling Energy Modeling: BIM Sustainable Design Lifecycle Cost Analysis

NOTES

collaborative integrated innovative sustainable