In Malibu, Calif., a city known for beaches, surf, and sun, HMC Architects wanted to give Malibu High School a new building that harmonizes environment and education. With a focus on a sustainable and healthy learning environment, Malibu High School’s new Classroom, Library, and Administration Building, completed last year, emphasizes both energy efficiency and optimal learning environments.
On the campus’ hillside location, the new two-story building spans the entire front of the campus. At almost 46,000 square feet, the building includes a variety of features intended to foster the connection of students and staff with their surroundings. The structure includes a green roof, an outdoor demonstration garden, abundant glazing and daylighting, photovoltaic canopies, and sunshade devices. Operable windows, heated floors, and solar tubes, as well as protective overhangs and vertical shading fins, reduce the dependence on mechanical and electrical systems while promoting optimal learning environments. The green roof and landscaping concepts also improve building performance, manage storm runoff, and provide outdoor teaching areas.
A two-level administration wing anchors the new main campus entry, serving the public at its lower entry and students at the main level. The library frames a secondary campus entry with the existing theater building, bolstering shared public use of these two programs. New classrooms and labs are located on the courtyard and upper level, along with a demonstration roof garden that serves both students and the community. Glazing throughout the building is protected by exterior circulation arcades with sunshades, creating physical and visual connections with the outdoors for students and staff.
On the Building Team:
Owner: Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Design architect: HMC Architects
Architect of record: HMC Architects
MEP engineer: GLUMAC
Structural engineer: IMEG Corporation
General contractor/construction manager: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.
Related Stories
| Jan 22, 2014
SOM-designed University Center uses 'sky quads,' stacked staircases to promote chance encounters
The New School's vertical campus in Manhattan houses multiple functions, including labs, design studios, a library, and student residences, in a 16-story building.
| Jan 17, 2014
The Starchitect of Oz: New Gehry building in Sydney celebrates topping out
The Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology, Sydney, will mark Frank Gehry's debut project in the Australian metro.
| Jan 15, 2014
Report: 32 U.S. buildings have been verified as net-zero energy performers
The New Buildings Institute's 2014 Getting to Zero Status report includes an interactive map detailing the net-zero energy buildings that have been verified by NBI.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
| Jan 13, 2014
AEC professionals weigh in on school security
An exclusive survey reveals that Building Teams are doing their part to make the nation’s schools safer in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
| Jan 10, 2014
What the states should do to prevent more school shootings
To tell the truth, I didn’t want to write about the terrible events of December 14, 2012, when 20 children and six adults were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. I figured other media would provide ample coverage, and anything we did would look cheap or inappropriate. But two things turned me around.
| Jan 10, 2014
Special Report: K-12 school security in the wake of Sandy Hook
BD+C's exclusive five-part report on K-12 school security offers proven design advice, technology recommendations, and thoughtful commentary on how Building Teams can help school districts prevent, or at least mitigate, a Sandy Hook on their turf.
| Jan 9, 2014
How security in schools applies to other building types
Many of the principles and concepts described in our Special Report on K-12 security also apply to other building types and markets.
| Jan 9, 2014
16 recommendations on security technology to take to your K-12 clients
From facial recognition cameras to IP-based door hardware, here are key technology-related considerations you should discuss with your school district clients.
