Owner
Los Angeles Unified School District
Architect
Coop Himmelblau, HMC
GC
PCL Construction
Completion
2008
Program
Seven building high school campus
Building Type
Education
Technology Type
Strongback Systems, Stick, AESS Fabrication, Skylights
Facade
Design/assist-design/build of highly custom entry facade comprised of 5,600 sqft of sloped glazing and 313 sqft of skylight glazing for the theater lobby; AESS system to support facade
Glass
Laminated ¼ FT low-iron x 0.060 PVB x ¼ FT low-iron, provided by Glaspro
Description
This showcase LA High School campus focuses on the visual and performing arts, and includes a 1,000 seat performing arts theater
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LA Central High School #9 is the new flagship campus with an emphasis on visual and performing arts. A 1,000 seat theater with full size stage and orchestra pit provides professional, state-of-the-art production technology. The campus consists of seven buildings, including a library and cafeteria capable of serving 1,800 students. The school will host a variety of community events and performances open to the public.
This much renowned Austrian architect wanted to develop the prominent, street-front public entrance to the theater facility as a feature element of the campus design. The Enclos design team worked closely with the architect to develop a highly unique yet economical design. The glass facade is faceted into a progression of angular planes that enclose and provide entry into the theater lobby, with 13 unique faces spanning the lobby at different angles and slopes. Three-dimensional models were used in lieu of drawings to facilitate design development. Potential fabrication and installation challenges resulting from the complex geometry were anticipated in the development of the facade system. The glass-fixing system was designed around an off-the-shelf Kawneer sloped glazing system capable of economically accommodating the facade’s negative slopes. An AESS backer system was then designed to support the Kawneer system.
Designs were made from three-dimensional model geometries rather than conventional drawings, requiring a symbiotic relationship between Enclos Corp and the architecture team. Schedule requirements mandated multiple trades work in the same small, 40,000 square foot site throughout the build phase, including steel, metal panel, concrete, door and stair installers.
Enclos is well known for cladding some of the world’s largest commercial and residential towers. Many of these projects have also included highly customized facade designs in the public areas of these buildings. This experience with innovative custom designs involving complex geometry, novel materials, and highly-crafted exposed structure systems made the firm the ideal choice for this project. |
