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This special issue features the winners of the 2002 Concrete Masonry Design Awards.
Co-sponsored by CMACN and AIA California Council

LAUSD KENNEDY SENIOR
HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM

GRANADA HILLS, CALIFORNIA

JURY COMMENTS: The Jury was impressed with the interior of this project. We noted the warm inviting colors of the concrete masonry units and how glass blocked is used to let light in, yet still keep the environment secure for students. Many high schools today are struggling with form and how to deal with large expanses. We felt this project was very successful in breaking down scale.

This new 44,000 square foot senior high school gymnasium is designed to be an integral part of an existing 40-acre Los Angeles Unified School District campus. The design employs the same color concrete block as existing campus buildings. Steel sunscreens are used to recall existing pre-cast campus cornices. The articulated masses of the two gymnasiums and locker room facilities become legible design features. Durable, maintainable burnished block accentuated with the varied use of split-faced, burnished and recessed bands of contrasting colored block and clear glass block patterns afford an animated facade while maintaining tight budget constraints.

The interior volume is expressed in the exterior form and the operative image of the paired vaulted roofs places the building as the gym, affords the wanted functional volume and assists in internal acoustics. The vault roof overhangs and steel elements provide functional sun-screening, as well as, legibility for the entry. The extended concrete masonry bock streetscape wall with its “window” punches and benches defines and secures the forecourt and the ticket booth.

The building is sited on the street edge of the campus to allow the existing earthquake damaged gym to remain in use during construction of the new gym, as well as, to correct the siting of the original gym and enhance campus security. With the demolition of the original gym, the entire campus is now visible and secure without hidden yard areas.

 

ARCHITECT:

R. L. Binder, FAIA Architecture & Planning
7726 81st Street
Playa del Rey, CA 90293

Rebecca L. Binder, FAIA
Principal in Charge

Kim Walsh, AIA
Principal/Project Architect

 

OWNER:

Los Angeles Unified School District




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