The campus design purposefully breaks the building into smaller portions in order to provide internal shaded courtyards which allow natural light and ventilation into the learning spaces and interior hallways. In fact, daylight is the primary lighting source for all circulation and learning areas. The overall organization of the campus floor plan attempts to blur the line between indoor and outdoor space, offering students and staff ample room to connect with nature during anytime of the day.
Passive air conditioning in all the break-out spaces and hallways were achieved by orienting the building to capture prevailing breezes on the site. A large south facing canopy houses a photovoltaic array which manages to generate more than 75% of the campus’ energy demand. Durability is a must for High Schools, and was achieved through extremely resilient, low-toxicity, low-maintenance materials including polished concrete floors, steel framing, steel roof and floor decking, and fiber-cement siding.
The school has been recognized by the USGBC, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Collaborative for High Performance Schools as a model of good design.
+ Chula Vista High Tech High
+ Studio E Architects
lead image © Jim Brady
