GOLD MEDAL AWARD WINNER
The Building of America
Del Sur Elementary School www.constructionreviews.com
Facts & Figures Owner: Poway Unified School District Type of Project: A new elementary school Size: Approximately 82,000 square feet Cost: $45 million (total, including land) Construction Time: May 2007 - August 2008 The Need: A new elementary school in the master-planned Del Sur community The Challenge: Designing a single-building campus, which was a first for the district, and procuring and installing some of the unique interior finishes
Gold Medal Award-winning Team Members NTD Architecture Architect EDGE Development General Contractor San Diego Gas & Electric Utility Incentive Programs for New Construction
Photos courtesy of RMA Architectural Photographers
southern california edition
gold medal award winner
San Diego, California
Del Sur Elementary School Del Sur Elementary School is located within the newly master-planned
and energy efficiency,” said Richard E. Nowicki, AIA, partner with NTD
Del Sur Community, which covers 1,800 acres. The new school was
Architecture, the project’s architect. In addition, teachers wanted a
planned as a single-building campus that could accommodate up to 850
school that would increase interaction among teachers and students
elementary students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. In addi-
throughout the school. “The resulting design is a mall-like atmosphere
tion, the school was designed to be environmentally friendly with many
that links all educational opportunities and fosters a secure and quiet
energy-conserving features.
learning environment for students.”
Ten acres of the master-planned community site were identified as
According to Doug Mann, executive director, facilities for the
suitable for an elementary school and were set aside for that purpose.
Poway Unified School District (PUSD), the project’s owner, the most
The school’s location is adjacent to a five-acre City of San Diego neigh-
unique feature of the project is that it is the first school in the dis-
borhood park, which is also part of the master plan for the community.
trict designed as one building. While this might not be so unusual in
In designing the new school, “stakeholders and community mem-
other parts of the country, this type of school design is not typical in
bers alike envisioned a school that focuses on the community, learning
Southern California. continued on page 5
gold medal award winner
southern california edition
The Owner’s Perspective with Doug Mann, Executive Director, Facilities, Poway Unified School District Q: What is the most innovative aspect of the project (or of the design/construction process, financing, environmental)? What could others learn from? DM: The school was designed to be environmentally friendly with many energy-conserving features, including lighting, mechanical and building envelope. At the beginning of the project, the architect engaged the community, developer and district staff in an “Esquisse” design process to ensure input was received from all parties. Especially important was blending in the school with the design/aesthetic features of the surrounding housing and other community features.
Q: What were the greatest challenges encountered on this project? How, specifically, were they overcome? DM: During WWII there was an aerial target range more than a mile and a half away. Working with the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) proved to be a challenge to get that agency to certify the school site free from unexploded ordinance (no residual evidence was ever uncovered on the school site).
Q: How did the strengths and experience of the project team contribute to the success of the project? DM: The same construction team had built two other PUSD elementary schools and knew how to work together.
Q: Were there any innovative strategies involving improved quality, cost-effectiveness or cost reductions? DM: PUSD rented a portion of the roof to SDG&E to install solar panels.
Q: Was there anything in the project’s process from beginning to end that was different than what you had anticipated? DM: The design proved to be more complex than it appeared in the early design stages. The incorporation of the “mall” into the design was a new, unique feature to the reviewing agency, Division of the State Architect.
Q: If another owner was about to commence work on a similar project, what advice would you offer from your experiences that he/she may not be aware of? DM: Assemble a team that knows how to work cooperatively and shares a common goal — quality, timeliness and budget.
13626 Twin Peaks Rd. Poway, CA 92064 858-679-2522 www.powayusd.com
continued from page 3
The building has a two-story
ed under one roof. So, once the
Diego Gas & Electric’s® (SDG&E®)
sustainable features contributing
structural steel frame with struc-
building was weatherized, trade
Sustainable Communities Program
to the school’s CHPS designation
tural concrete over metal deck.
activity was able to continue with
to install a 4,154-square-foot pho-
include a high-efficiency irrigation
The exterior skin consists of lath
little impacts from the weather,”
tovoltaic array, which provides
system with weather-sensing con-
and plaster over metal studs with
he said.
approximately 9.4 percent of the
troller, shared use of the multipur-
aluminum-framed fixed windows.
Del Sur Elementary School’s
school’s energy. SDG&E’s Energy
pose room and athletic field, a sub-
According to Al Calvet, senior vice
single-building typology fuels its
Management System monitors the
stantially reduced footprint result-
president of EDGE Development,
energy efficiency, according to
use of lighting, equipment and
ing in a higher pervious site area,
the project’s general contrac-
Nowicki. Reduced exterior wall and
HVAC systems. Del Sur Elementary
enhanced classroom acoustics, and
tor, one of the advantages of the
roof areas decrease the amount of
School achieved an energy effi-
improved indoor air quality.
one-building school was the ratio
heating and cooling needed by the
ciency of 40.7 percent better than
“Del Sur Elementary School
between exterior skin area versus
school, resulting in lowered energy
California’s 2005 Title energy code
boasts interior elements that are
floor area, which was much lower
costs for the school district and an
requirements and has exceed-
designed to promote an interac-
than with multiple freestanding
improved physical environment for
ed the requisites to become a
tive and educational experience
buildings.
con-
the building’s occupants. In addi-
Collaborative High Performance
for the students,” said Nowicki.
struction activity was concentrat-
tion, the school district utilized San
School (CHPS) by 44 points. Other
There are 34 classrooms, which are
“Furthermore,
continued on page 9
Photo courtesy of RMA Architectural Photographers
gold medal award winner
southern california edition
The Architect’s Perspective with Richard E. Nowicki, AIA, Partner, NTD Architecture Q: Describe the project in relative detail, incorporating what you think makes the project unique, innovative, important or sets it apart. How does the design complement the overall mission of the facility/owner? RN: Del Sur Elementary School is located within the newly developing Del Sur Community, which was master planned on 1,800 acres. Designed as a single-building campus, Del Sur Elementary School achieves an energy efficiency of 40.7 percent better than California’s 2005 Title 24 energy code requirements and has exceeded the requisites to become a Collaborative for High Performance School (CHPS) by 44 points (pending final certification). In addition to its innovative building design and impressive energy efficiency, Del Sur Elementary School boasts interior elements that are designed to promote an interactive and educational experience for the students. Interior features include miniature gardens where students can plant their own seedlings and monitor their growth, and an interior theme that literally spans from the depths of the ocean to the star galaxies of space. Del Sur Elementary School does not simply provide a place for students to learn; the school is a learning experience in and of itself….
Q: What were some of the drivers behind the design? What design materials or concepts were used? RN: A weeklong collaborative planning process initiated in the early stages of the design process determined that stakeholders and
Photo courtesy of Emil Kara
community members alike envisioned a school that focused on the community, learning and energy efficiency. This programming process also determined that teachers wanted a school that would increase interaction among teachers and students throughout the school. The resulting design is a mall-like atmosphere that links all educational opportunities and fosters a secure and quiet learning environment for students. Including district facility members, teachers, faculty, parents and students in the planning process ensured that goals from across the spectrum were established and realized.
Q: What were the greatest challenges encountered on this project, either from your firm’s point of view or as a project team? RN: Del Sur Elementary School is the first single-building campus designed by NTD Architecture. Fitting everything under one roof was a challenge that had not yet been encountered by the firm, but the planning and construction process was seamless and the end result was a successful project. Designing a single-building campus afforded the opportunity for NTD to respond to the school’s curriculum in ways that multibuilding campuses do not. The design enhances student-teacher interaction and allows for more effective community involvement with the school.
9655 Granite Ridge Dr., Ste. 400 San Diego, CA 92123 858-565-4440 www.ntd.com
continued from page 5
all accessible off a common, two-
their own seedlings and monitor
nature- and cosmic-themed graph-
local artists. Additionally, there is
story educational “mall;” a library;
their growth. “Del Sur Elementary
ics on wallcovering and fabric-
a unique compass pattern created
a multipurpose room; a lunch shel-
does not simply provide a place
wrapped panels throughout the
from multi-color, laser-cut rubber
ter; a computer laboratory; admin-
for students to learn; the school
mall areas. There is also a fossil
flooring, which is centered and
istrative spaces; and a miniature
is a learning experience in and
wall that was custom designed
viewable from a circular penetra-
gardens where students can plant
of itself,” said Nowicki. There are
and constructed out of plaster by
tion through the second-level mall continued on page 11
Photos courtesy of RMA Architectural Photographers
gold medal award winner
southern california edition
The General Contractor’s Perspective with Al Calvet, Senior Vice President, EDGE Development Q: What is the most unique or important feature of the facility (or of the design/construction process)? AC: The most unique aspect of this building as compared to other elementary schools that EDGE has built in California is that it is all under one roof. While this might not be so unusual in other parts of the country, we do not see this type of design very often, especially in Southern California. The reason behind this design was due to the limited size of the school site, at approximately 10 acres. From a construction standpoint, one of the advantages was the ratio between exterior skin area versus floor area. This ratio is much lower than multiple freestanding buildings. Furthermore, construction activity was concentrated under one roof. So, once the building was weatherized, trade activity was able to continue with little impacts from the weather.
Q: What were the greatest challenges encountered on this project and how, specifically, did you overcome them? AC: Some of the challenges were procurement and installation of some of the unique finishes…. Some of this coordination and installation required hands-on work by EDGE’s project superintendent, Mark Bennett. Mark’s background in finish carpentry was put to use. Some of the details for curved maple wall caps and custom potting shelves could only be created by way of collaboration between Mark and the interior designer. Mark custom fabricated these after hours in his home workshop and installed them exactly as the interior designer had envisioned them.
Q: What were some of the lessons learned from this project? AC: Early collaboration with the design team and project owner resulted in less changes during the construction process.
27368 Via Industria, Ste. 101 Temecula, CA 92590 951-296-0776 www.edge-dev.com
Photo courtesy of RMA Architectural Photographers
continued from page 9
and glass handrail. Outside the
were 100 percent. Under a precon-
designed by NTD Architecture.
for EDGE, collaborated with the
school there are play fields, play
struction services agreement, the
“Fitting everything under one roof
interior designer on the details
courts and a parking lot.
contractor was able to review the
was a challenge that had not yet
for the curved maple wall caps
The new school is also on the
documents and propose cost-sav-
been encountered by the firm,”
and custom potting shelves. After
forefront of innovative design
ing ideas to the owner, who would
said Nowicki. Designing a single-
several meetings, Bennett ended
and technology, according to
then consider them and, in many
building campus, however, afford-
up custom fabricating these items
NTD
Classrooms
instances, incorporate them into
ed the opportunity for NTD to
after hours in his home workshop
are equipped with audiovisual
the project. A preliminary guaran-
respond to the school’s curriculum
and installed them exactly as the
systems, including a centralized
teed maximum price (GMP) was
in ways that multibuilding cam-
interior designer had envisioned
audiovisual switching system with
established well before plans were
puses do not. The design enhances
them.
stereo amplification, an LCD pro-
submitted to the Division of the
student-teacher interaction and
“The same construction team
jector, an electronic marker board,
State Architect (DSA). Once proj-
allows for more effective commu-
had built two other PUSD elemen-
a DVD/VCR, docucams, and audio
ect plans and specifications were
nity involvement with the school.
tary schools and knew how to work
reinforcement input, ensuring that
approved by DSA and funding
“The planning and construction
together,” said Mann. Additionally,
students will have the tools neces-
was in place, construction began
process was seamless and the end
including district facility members,
sary to prepare them for a future in
immediately. Construction issues
result was a successful project.”
teachers, faculty, parents and stu-
the 21st century.
were minimized as many of the
Other challenges on the proj-
dents in the planning process for
plan discrepancies were corrected
ect, according to Calvet, included
the new school ensured that goals
during the preconstruction phase.
procuring and installing some of
from across the spectrum were established and achieved. n
Architecture.
In order to save time and money on the project, the owner, the architect and the general contractor col-
Del Sur Elementary School was
the unique interior finishes. Mark
laborated well before the drawings
the first single-building campus
Bennett, project superintendent
gold medal award winner
— Stacey Nathanson
southern california edition
11
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