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Grant Elementary School Modernization and Addition
San Diego, California
Photography:
Jimmy Fluker
The Grant Elementary School Classroom Building is a new two-story classroom building constructed on an existing elementary school site. The building consists of seven classrooms, instructional support service rooms and restrooms. The existing campus sits on a two level site with access from the street to the main building. The existing student campus was through the lower level parking lot past classrooms to the main building and was considered unacceptable.
The new building bordering the street provides a stronger school presence in the neighborhood. The lower level entrance into the campus is through an exterior gap between the two classroom and five classroom structures into a paved court. This provides a clear and safe student pedestrian entrance into the campus. The two-level structure allows for easy access to the upper and lower levels of the campus.
The building’s exterior and interior structure is exposed to provide students with a clearer understanding of a buildings construction. The colors and materials chosen reflect some of that found in the existing campus, while retaining some individuality to the building. The exposed concrete block and steel construction lends a feeling of permanence to the project.
North and south facing windows let in natural light and ventilation to provide a bright comfortable classroom space without the need for air conditioning. The ceilings’ heights were raised to create a lighter and dynamic environment in the classrooms. Sound attenuation is achieved with the use of sound absorbent materials at the floor, ceiling and walls.
Architect:
Roesling Nakamura
Terada Architects
363 5th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Ralph J. Roesling,
FAIA
Principal
Chuck Forte, AIA
Project
Manager
Structural
Engineer:
SDSE
General
Contractor:
Soltek Pacific
Masonry
Contractor:
Schwartz Masonry,
Inc.
Block Producer:
RCP Block & Brick,
Inc.
Owner:
San Diego City School District
