High Tech High Chula Vista, K8
- Project Address: 1949 Discovery Falls Drive Chula Vista, CA 91915
- Project Owner/ Developer: High Tech High Learning
- Owner Contact Name/ Email: Christopher Gerber, cgerber@hightechhigh.org
- Project Architect/ Designer: Studio E Architects
High Tech High K-8, Chula Vista is the second phase of a multi-phase master plan build-out on the planned “Academic Village”. The 61,000 square-foot combined elementary and middle school serves 400 students. The new facility takes several cues from its award winning neighbor – borrowing colors and sweeping roofs while adding a “crazy-quilt” pattern of corrugated metal cladding to the masonry used next door. A forest of wing-shaped shade cloth awnings announce the entrance and provide protection for the outdoor lunch areas. The north elementary school wing is enlivened by super-scale bay windows that form reading nooks within the classrooms.
The design of this school provides opportunities for students to interact with the everyday functions of the facility in ways that raise their awareness of energy conservation, resource consumption, waste generation and the influence of the microclimate on building systems and human comfort. A permanent educational display incorporated into a series of video screens in the Lobby display project-specific sustainable design elements such as PV system electrical generation and a list of all LEED and CHPS features with a statement of the intent, and explanation of each high performance feature, in addition to student work.
Project Awarded
Taking several cues from its Orchid-awarded high school neighbor, High Tech High K8 borrows colors and sweeping roofs while adding a funky “quilt” pattern of corrugated metal cladding, and sharing the inspiration of rich ranching traditions and the rolling landscape of its setting.
K8’s entry is announced from the campus walk by a forest of wing-shaped shade cloth awnings which provide protection for outdoor lunch areas. The lively patterns, layout and colors in the play yard reflect collaboration with the middle school students, making it “very easy to understand why a kid would want to learn here.” With generous windows framing views to the nearby hills, and its precise orientation, the building and overhanging roofs provide protection from the sun’s glare while maximizing natural daylight within. Huge bay windows also flood the elementary classroom wing with light, and enliven the room by cleverly serving a dual purpose as reading nooks. The connection of classrooms to the natural environment allows the outdoor area to acts as bonus space for group and individual activities.
The design is simple and straightforward, yet utterly engaging. Everything about High Tech High K8 makes so much sense, and money was spent in all the right places; every school should apply these wonderful design concepts!”