Santa Clara High School

Science: The building, as planned, houses ten science lab classrooms, a computer lab, chemical storage, prep core, faculty lounge, faculty offices and a lecture room. For flexibility, each science lab is outfitted exactly the same; any type of science can occur in each one from chemistry to physics to biology. Cabinetry around the perimeter provides all the utilities such as power, gas, vacuum and water allowing the room to be organized as needed. The lab tables can be moved to any location along the perimeter cabinetry creating typical student seating in the middle of the room. This set up allows the class to sit comfortably at desks then move to the lab tables for experiments instead of the typical lab or lecture only plans. Natural light is provided through four large windows located in pop outs along the exterior walls. These pop outs house grow shelves which are grated to provide drainage and lit by grow lights housed in soffits above. They also serve to break up the exterior walls; a different exterior material (ceramic tile) further delineates this feature. For lab purposes, each window is outfitted with room darkening curtains along with the typical blind type window treatment. Each wall of the classroom provides data outlets. Located as we are in the Silicon Valley the building needed to reflect the high tech spirit of the area. Each "like" space within the building is treated whether in mass, material or color. The Prep Core rises up creating clerestory windows which allows this space to be lit naturally. To break up the clerestory on the exterior, the exhaust for the fume hoods in the classrooms are expressed by chimney forms. The Lounge intersection soars up to reinforce the collision of the two legs while the office space drops down to be enclosed by aluminum curtain walls. The break between the lecture room and the "L" is reinforced by a tower like structure clad in ceramic tile. Along with the window pop outs, the exterior is treated with half-moon shaped scuppers reminiscent of the curved standing seam roofs over the clerestory and lecture room. Human scale is provided by curved canopies with cut outs in the metal roofing at the window pop outs allowing light into the classrooms and constructed out of tube steel and steel plates creating a light and airy structure. Performing Arts Building: This 14,281 square foot performing arts facility provides the theater arts teaching and performance students and community with a 425 seat theater-stage with full fly and grid, scene shop, set shop, dressing rooms, control room and lobby. The lobby includes a concession stand, ticket booth and display areas. The facility is also used by the music and choral students for both classes and performances.