lausd prototype classroom
With the intention to replace and upgrade the portable trailer classrooms that occur on all overly-crowded, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) campuses, the district conducted an architectural competition. The competition was meant to solve LAUSD’s future 100 year build-out plan, and use a universal solution on the limited and irregularly shaped space currently available on any of the school campuses. The scheme is composed of infinitely variable heights and lengths of modular building ‘bars’. The modular scheme offers different types of classroom plans such as: science class, group study class, and outdoor class, as well as the supporting spaces; restroom, circulation, and faculty room modules. Green building componants include: optimized overhang depths at southerly exposures, geothermal energy production, under-floor natural ventilation plenums, natural ventilation, green roof, and integrated lighting. The foremost design element, atrium seating and the glass fronted classroom facade, visually connect the classroom to the surrounding campus, and the school yard.
SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES WERE EMPLOYED IN THE DESIGN:
natural ventiliation / venturi effect
IN-FLOOR HEATING AND COOLING REGISTERS
geothermal heating / COOLING
INDOOR-OUTDOOR GROUND FLOOR CLASSROOMS
sOLAR ANGLE SUNSHADES
each classroom module can be configured for the various sizes and shapes of available land area on lausd campuses.