LAUSD South Central High School No. 1, Los Angeles

Presented with all the challenges associated with building in a busy urban setting, the $60-million Los Angeles Unified School District High School No. 1 is located in a commercial and industrial area in downtown Los Angeles that borders on a residential zone. As the first comprehensive high school built in Los Angeles in the last 35 years, it was important the campus represent an educational oasis as well as a sorely needed neighborhood landmark.

HMC Architects began conceiving the building with two distinct objectives. The large classroom building would act as a wall that separates the campus visually and acoustically from Washington Boulevard and the freeway. Secondly, the protected interior area, comprised of lower-scaled elements loosely arranged around a landscaped circulation arroyo, carves a serpentine path through the campus and organizes the various levels and informal circulation paths. The campus' shell cracks open at entry points, to offer glimpses into the interior, and the landscaped arroyo spills out to welcome the students and the community.

The fast-track schedule set by the district required close coordination among team members and the flexibility to meet challenges as they came, offering solutions on the spot. By utilizing a design build delivery method, the team was able to closely coordinate construction schedules and plan built-in contingency options. The delivery method allowed subcontractors to bid work early and complete the bidding process during design. The delivery method also allowed for environmental site cleanup during design. The project was completed a year earlier than it would have been with the standard bid/build method.

School security was a primary concern, yet this conflicted with the critical desire to create an open and welcoming environment. Concealed gates and passive deterrents minimized the "under siege" perception of many urban campuses. The play fields and grass areas were oriented toward the south side to cater to and entice the community located on that side of the project. The multi-story classroom buildings were oriented to respond to and serve as a shield from the commercial and industrial neighbors.

Owner's Comments:

"The entire HMC team did a wonderful job." -Jim Cowell, director of construction, new construction, LAUSD

Project Team:

Owner: Los Angeles Unified School District
Owner's representative: Debbie Cook
Architect: HMC Architects
Construction manager: Emerald Development
General contractor: S.J. Amoroso Construction
Structural engineer: Brandow & Johnston Associates
Mechanical engineer: ACEA
Electrical engineer: TMAD Engineers

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