Westwood Elementary School

San Diego, CaliforniaElementary School

Lighthouse RenovationNTD Architecture

2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Westwood Elementary School

Westwood Neighborhood

Community Environment

The neighborhood of Westwood is situated within the planned

community of Rancho Bernardo in San Diego County among a

topography of canyons and rolling hills. The community

features a plethora of housing, shopping malls, golf courses

and office parks.

Connecting to the CommunityCommunity Environment

When Westwood Elementary was initially constructed, the District was in the process of developing numerous campuses in a similar round configuration. The expansion of this campus proves difficult due to its closed

circular geometry. Challenges in this design were overcome by incorporating a masterplan that reflects a break in the circular mold, allowing for both expansion and renovation while maintaining a cohesive appearance.

As the school had lost a sense of connection with the community, planning efforts placed a major focus on redesigning the front entrance of the school to reconnect it with the Westwood neighborhood, giving it the

appearance of a brand new school that the community could be proud of.

Facility ConversionsLearning Environment

Challenge

Undersized and aging Library and lack of Resource Rooms for existing Classrooms

Concept

Existing Library converted to Computer Lab and two Resource Rooms

Challenge

Undersized and aging MPR/Food Service

Concept

Construct new MPR/Food Service. Convert old MPR to Library

Existing Multipurpose Room

Existing Library

New Computer Room

New Library

Connecting the Old with the New

Learning Environment

Challenge

• Campus no longer supported District standards

• Aging Existing Classrooms and Infrastructure

Concept

• Construct new Resource Rooms for Collaborative Teaching in between new and existing classrooms

• Modernize existing classrooms to create a seamless campus where new and existing campus connect

Kindergarten, Joint-Use MPR

Physical Environment

Kindergarten was placed adjacent to parking, administration, and student

drop-off, and is equipped with its own outdoor play area. Classrooms each feature their own student restroom.

A new Multipurpose Room/Food Service building was constructed to

replace the former facilities, which were insufficient to accommodate the

increased number of students. The Multipurpose Room utilizes a joint use

agreement between the District and Parent/Teacher Association.

Before

Before & AfterPhysical Environment

Challenges• Confusing Entry• Loss of Context• Lack of Security

Concepts• Redefined Entry• Renewed Sense of Ownership• Provide Health, Safety, and Security

Before

After

Concept

Enhanced MasterplanPlanning Process

Initial planning for the Westwood Elementary School

Transformation stemmed from the need to re-evaluate and confirm previous SFID Bond

programming and planning efforts. NTD Architecture

participated in six separate meetings with planning group

members to determine programming needs,

architectural design standards, and projected enrollment figures

for the school. The process resulted in a new campus

masterplan that will allow for additional future expansion and

enhances the context of the Westwood community.

Playful Details: Creating Relatable Architecture

Planning Process

Challenge

Loss of student connection with architecture

Concept

Create playful architecture that students can relate to formally

and spatially to encourage creativity.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

Submitting Firm : NTD ArchitectureProject Role ArchitectProject Contact Richard Nowicki, AIATitle PartnerAddress 9655 Granite Ridge Drive, Suite 400City, State or Province, Country San Diego, California 92123, USAPhone 858/565.4440

Joint Partner Firm: N/AProject RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Other Firm: N/AProject RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Construction Firm: PinnacleOne/BarnhartProject Role Construction ManagerProject Contact Mark ClaussenTitle DPMAddress P.O. Box 501628City, State or Province, Country San Diego, California 92150, USAPhone 858/679.2646

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

Project Name  Westwood Elementary School

City San Diego

State California

District Name Poway Unified School District

Supt/President Doug Mann

Occupancy Date  Fall 2006

Grades Housed  K-5

 

Capacity (Students)  850

Site Size (acres)  10 acres

Gross Area (sq. ft.) 65,000 SF

Per Occupant (pupil)  77 SF/student

gross/net please indicate  65,000

 

Design and Build?  No

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development: $2,377,631.00

Building Construction: $13,793,918.00

Fixed Equipment: $724,085.00

Other:  $0

 

Total:  $16,895,634.00