El Cerrito High School El Cerrito, CA New Construction Project of Distinction WLC Architects, Inc. 2010 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture.

El Cerrito High School

El Cerrito, CANew Construction

Project of DistinctionWLC Architects, Inc.

2010 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

El Cerrito High School

El Cerrito High School

Contextual EnvironmentCommunity Environment: Situated on a scenic hill in the East Bay of San Francisco Bay Area, the El Cerrito High School, originally built in 1934, has amazing views of the San Francisco Bay as well as the Golden Gate Bridge. This historic structure offered many opportunities to its students, but after several studies and cost analyses, it was determined that the facility need to be replaced due to antiquated buildings and systems which directly impacted the educational program established by the district’s administration and board of trustees.

TheaterCommunity Environment: Continued…An overriding concern for the district was the community process and their participation throughout the design of the new campus. Several meetings with community groups were held during the programming phase of the project to ensure their desire were heard and incorporated into the design. The new school would support many active community groups, and the location of the buildings on the 15.7 acre site would have significance to residence sharing the views. The architectural exterior vocabulary specifically asked by the community was that the buildings withstand the test of time. This dictated the choice of material and color that compliment and arrive from the neighborhood environment.

Music ClassroomLearning Environment:The 210,000 square foot new campus is organized around a courtyard creating an inner sanctum nurturing student and staff interaction and the learning environment. The public buildings, Administration, Library, Gymnasium and Theater are located near the streets with the classroom buildings placed away from the noise and distraction. Through the use of multi-level covered walks and exterior stairs and terraces circulation takes place both inside and outside allowing students to interact with the natural surroundings and helping to avoid inclement weather when going between buildings.

LibraryLearning Environment: ContinuedThe design supports the current departmental organization but allows the adaptability for Small Learning Communities. Separating the classrooms into three wings with support spaces for staff offices, work rooms and conference spaces encourages and allows interaction among staff and students. Each classroom is shared by two teachers. To accommodate their professional equipment lockable storage was provided within the teaching walls.

Quad ExteriorPhysical Environment – NarrativeThree essential programs at El Cerrito High School are the Community Health Project, the Radio Station and Tech Futures. These three programs, in additional to being part of the school curriculum also integrated a community component as support and involvement with the school.

Front Entrance InteriorPhysical Environment – ContinuedClassrooms window opening were designed flush with the ceiling, allowing for the reflection off the ceiling relayed natural daylight throughout the space. A photovoltaic system was installed to provide 145 kilowatts generating electricity that allows the district to offset operating costs.

Trophy DisplayPlanning Process: NarrativeBuilding the future from the past was a part of the community theme. Through a community archive committee items a museum space was created for display of collected items from the old school. Tiles from the old drinking fountains were built into the new ones, original clocks and old mascot tile mosaics were placed throughout the campus.

Design Phase RendersPlanning Process: ContinuedThe New El Cerrito High School project was a like-for-like replacement and therefore qualified for modernization funding through the Office of Public School Construction. Additionally it qualified for 50-year old school additional grants which supplemented the overall construction budget.

Floor plan

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Data

Submitting Firm : WLC Architects, Inc.Project Role ArchitectProject Contact Jackie BassmanTitle Project Designer, AssociateAddress 2600 Tenth Street, Suite 500City, State or Province, Country Berkeley, CA , USAPhone (510) 450-1999

Joint Partner Firm: N/AProject Role N/AProject Contact N/ATitle N/AAddress N/ACity, State or Province, Country N/APhone N/A

Other Firm: N/AProject Role N/AProject Contact N/ATitle N/AAddress N/ACity, State or Province, Country N/APhone N/A

Construction Firm: SGI Construction ManagementProject Role Construction ManagerProject Contact Lew BrowerTitle Construction ManagerAddress 1300 Potrero AvenueCity, State or Province, Country Richmond, CA , USAPhone (510) 412-5657

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2010 Project Details

Project Name  El Cerrito High School

City  El Cerrito

State  CA

District Name  West Contra Costa Unified School District

Supt/President  Dr. Bruce Harter

Occupancy Date  August 2008

Grades Housed  9-12

Capacity(students)  1600

Site Size (acres)  15.7

Gross Area (sq. ft.)  210,000

Per Occupant(pupil)  131

gross/net please indicate  203,000

Design and Build?  N/A

If yes, Total Cost:  N/A

Includes:  N/A

If no,  

Site Development:  Included

Building Construction:  80,526,000

Fixed Equipment:  Included

Other:  Temporary Housing = 8,000,000

Total:  88,526,000

Supporting/Supplemental files/Images