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Cesar Chavez Elementary School
Long
Beach, California
Photography:
Chris Costea, Costea Photography
2006 CMACN Awards Edition, “CMU Profiles in Architecture”
Sustainable Jury Comments: This Collaborative for High Performanc Schools (CHPS) campus balances sustainable measures in the areas of energy efficiency, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality. Efficient building envelop design and mechanical equipment save energy, and pendant mounted interior lighting achieves energy efficiency, while providing excellent lighting quality and control.
The sustainable features of the school were always
discussed as energy and cost savings strategies in an effort
to make them irrefutable to the district.
When “Savings by Design” and CHPS were introduced as an approach to the design solution, the district began to emphasize the advantages of the environmental features. At that point in the process, the sustainable aspects of the solution were looked upon as an educational tool for the district, as well as the community. All design decisions began to reflect a responsible, environmental attitude, while simultaneously providing lower operating and maintenance costs to the district.
An efficient central plant was introduced to heat and cool the new campus, and classrooms were no longer immediately conceived with fixed windows and direct lighting. Research began to prove the benefits of natural ventilation and indirect lighting. Common areas and circulation spaces were flooded with natural daylight through the use of light monitors, clerestories and protected openings. The aesthetics of the design began to incorporate devices, which would showcase the environmental nature of the solution such as light wells, clerestories, “green” screens, sustainable materials, and indigenous landscape.
The school was planned holistically, responding to and incorporating LEED requirements. After a single year in operation, Cesar Chavez Elementary School has performed over 33% better than the Title 24 Requirements and utilizes over 100,000 gallons less water per year than a school of similar size. In addition this school has received honors from both Southern California Edison and The Coalition for High Performance Schools.
Architect:
LPA,
Inc.
5161 California Avenue,
Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92617
Richard
D’Amato, AIA
Principal
Structural
Engineer:
Culp & Tanner
General
Contractor:
FTR International
Masonry
Contractor:
FTR International
Block
Producer:
Angelus Block Company, Inc.
Owner:
Long Beach Unified School District
