Awards: Grand Prize > Citation Awards > Honorable Mentions

PRE-K TO 12

The Thacher School—Arts Building & Commons- Benny Chan/Fotoworks

Harley Ellis Devereaux/Barton Phelps & Associates, Los Angeles, CA, received a Citation of Excellence Award for The Thacher School—Arts Building & Commons, Ojai, CA. This new building serves nearly 1,200 students in grades 9-12 and features a 450-seat auditorium that has mid-range acoustics for music, speech, drama, dance, and cinema. “The building’s use of natural materials—stone and wood—in the interior is very successful,” Learning By Design judges commented. “It feels organic. It takes advantage of the setting by using windows that are carefully placed.” Floor-to-ceiling windows in the music rehearsal and conference rooms provide maximum daylight penetration. The building’s design also takes teaching opportunities into consideration—for example, stagecraft elements in the auditorium are exposed to give students a behind-the-scenes look at the performing arts.

Betty H. Fairfax High School - Mark Boisclair

DLR Group, Phoenix, AZ, received a Citation of Excellence Award for Betty H. Fairfax High School, Phoenix, AZ. “There are a lot of strong indoor-outdoor relationships throughout this building,” Learning By Design judges noted. “It also breaks down the scale of the high school into smaller learning communities.” A new building expected to serve 2,500 students in grades 9-12, Betty H. Fairfax High School has been designed to accommodate four smaller learning communities—each focused around a central gathering area for larger group activities. Judges also noted the building’s effective use of colors. “The simple palette works. It’s coherent.” Plus, native landscape materials contribute to the school’s sustainability efforts, which also include a central plant chiller system.

Joe E. Ferris High School Gymnasium, Health and Fitness Complex - Rick Kating, RK Productions

NAC|Architecture, Spokane, WA, received a Citation of Excellence Award for Joel E. Ferris High School Gymnasium, Health and Fitness Complex, Spokane, WA. Learning By Design judges praised this design project for its overall organization, use of natural materials, and effective scale. “The entrance illustrates a playful use of building forms. It’s a beautiful pavilion at the entry,” judges commented. “The design does a great job of separating the large spaces from the small, to break down the scale of the building.” The building was strategically sited to offer impressive views to the southeast from the fitness and weight rooms. Judges also noted the facility’s successful use of reflective lighting and village-style design.

Twelve Bridges High School - NTD Architecture

NTD Architecture, Auburn, CA, received a Citation of Excellence Award for Twelve Bridges High School, Lincoln, CA. This design project earned high marks from Learning By Design judges for its ability to support a strong educational program that features a collaborative campus. Scheduled for completion in 2010, the high school will share common facilities with a community college and a civic library. “There is a growing trend in co-locating high schools and community colleges,” judges noted. “This also provides an environment for at-risk students or students from non-traditional backgrounds to learn they can succeed in college.” The new building will serve 1,400 students in grades 9-12 and feature academies focused on curricular themes—science, culture, environment, technology, and
wellness.

COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

The Pennsylvania State University Recreation Hall - Massery Photography

L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Pittsburgh, PA, received a Citation of Excellence Award for The Pennsylvania State University Recreation Hall, University Park, PA. “This is a good example of a renovation where they really transformed the building,” Learning By Design judges noted. “There is a very conscious use of graphics and portals, which results in good transparency between the fitness spaces and the circulation spaces.” Designed not only to serve Penn State students but also to help recruit athletes and generate financial support for the university, Recreation Hall features abundant use of daylight and well-planned ventilation systems. “It just feels bright and airy,” judges added.

Santiago Canyon College Library - LPA Inc/C Costea Photography

LPA, Inc., Irvine, CA, received a Citation of Excellence Award for Santiago Canyon College Library, Orange, CA. Learning By Design judges praised this educational facility for its effective design and use of collaborative spaces. Abundant open spaces encourage student interaction and maximize opportunities to use natural light. “Every space inside the building is effused with natural light. They really created something pleasant here,” judges commented. “It’s a beautiful building.” In addition, the building also features sustainable components such as perforated metal louvers for solar control, reflective roof materials, and building materials with recycled content.