Transcript Project Name

2009 Monarch Award
Los Angeles Unified School District
Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Los Angeles, California
High School (Grades 9 – 12)
Type II, 1-Hour
WWCOT
Before and After: Corner of 1st Street and Beaudry Avenue
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Photo
Before and After: Aerial View Northwest
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
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New Administration-Academy Building/Colton Street Entrance
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
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Before and After: Existing Classroom Building
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
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Classroom
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
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Library/Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose Room
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
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Cafeteria/Multi-Purpose Room
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
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Library
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
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Library
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
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Before and After: Existing Gymnasium
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Site Plan
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Floor Plan
New Administration-Academy Building: First Floor Plan
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Floor Plan
New Administration-Academy Building: Second Level Floor Plan
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
New Multi-Purpose/Library Building
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Refurbished/Reconstructed Existing Building – Level 1, 2, 3 Floor Plans
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Gymnasium - Floor Plan
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Project Narrative
Please provide a narrative description and definition of the project that highlights exceptional features,
discusses specific challenges presented, how those challenges were met, and any other points of
significance for the project. Please type below. Not to exceed 2 pages total.
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Introduction
Famous even before its grand opening in September 2008, Roybal Learning Center (aka Belmont Learning Complex, Central Los
Angeles High School #11, Vista Hermosa High School) was the victim of notoriety and negative press over its 20-year history before
becoming a permanent, thriving, innovative, and inspiring learning environment for inner-city high school students. Formerly derided as
“the most expensive high school never built”, Roybal Learning Center beat all the odds and opened on the scheduled date, was built
within the new budget, and was finished ahead of schedule. The design/construction/facilities team worked tirelessly and
collaboratively at every stage, solving complex issues together without finger-pointing and negative consequences. The team engaged
the community, conducting “town hall” meetings in both Spanish and English, in order to answer questions regarding cost, schedule,
and safety and present illustrations and timely project reports, which held the team accountable for the project’s success. The results of
this team approach: the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Award!
A Brief History
With the intention of relieving over-crowded Belmont High School, LAUSD initiated plans in 1988 for a new 3,500 semester-seat school
comprised of four Small Learning Communities (SLCs) that share common facilities. With construction about sixty percent complete,
the project was halted in 1999 after the discovery of dangerous methane gases and an earthquake fault below the surface. After nearly
four years of extensive debate and analysis, the LAUSD Board voted to continue the project in 2002 and hired a new architectural firm
with K-12 facility and architectural forensics expertise. The new architects surveyed the partially-completed buildings and evaluated
and corrected observed deficiencies. Among their many findings, they determined that weather, over the course of four years, had
severely damaged all of the walls, that the roof-top air conditioning systems did not meet current efficiency standards, and that all
warranties had lapsed.
Project Goals
In addition to rehabilitating the existing buildings, the team’s objective was to create new buildings that would meet both the District’s
educational goals and the State of California’s seismic safety standards. After extensive research and analysis, LAUSD determined
that the transformation of the unfinished Belmont Learning Complex into the new Roybal Learning Center should entail:
• Demolition of the two buildings which were constructed over the seismic fault and replacement with new structures.
• Development of methane gas management systems, for both existing and new buildings, to fully mitigate the hazards.
• Replacement of all existing construction that had been damaged by exposure or inadequately installed.
• Reorganization of the campus plan to meet LAUSD’s commitment to, and standards for, Small Learning Communities (SLCs).
• Offer active recreation for community youth and adults by including a soccer field on the adjacent Vista Hermosa Park.
• Create a new public image for the school, its students and the community.
A New Promise for the Children
From the development of the master plan to the planning of the individual Small Learning Communities; from the re-branding of its
exterior image to the creation of outdoor learning spaces – Roybal Learning Center has been transformed into a state-of-the-art, 21st
Century “green” educational environment that will help uplift the surrounding neighborhood.
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
New Buildings: The new Commons Building is the focal point on First Street and strengthens the campus’ urban edge. As the center of
campus life, the multi-purpose auditorium, food service facility and library also delineate the campus’ main quad. The new Administration
and 500-seat Academy Building provides the identifying entrance element on Colton and Boylston Streets.
“Rebirth” of Existing Buildings: The existing buildings located along Beaudry Avenue were completely stripped to the core. Three
floors were redesigned to each house two separate Small Learning Communities. A large gymnasium accommodates indoor athletic
events. The subterranean floors were transformed into parking for 481 cars. Custom signage enlivens the highly visible corner of Beaudry
Avenue and First Street and presents a new and welcoming face, announcing to the public that the Roybal Learning Center plays a vital
role in downtown community life.
Sustainability: Roybal Learning Center is a CHPS-certified high school that fulfills LAUSD’s commitment to building sustainable learning
environments. Trees provide both visual enhancement and shade. Water-saving plumbing fixtures abound. State-of-the-art airconditioning equipment meets both environmental and economic efficiency standards. The State of California and ‘Savings by Design’
recognized the energy efficiency of the buildings by awarding grants to both the District and the architect for the sustainable execution of
the project.
Construction: The District received competitive bids for the project in October of 2005. An award-winning, well-respected, nationwide
construction firm with prior LAUSD experience was awarded the construction contract in November, 2005. Notice to Proceed was issued
on December 1, 2005 and after a coordinated mobilization period, construction commenced on March 1, 2006. Roybal Learning Center
was completed early and welcomed students for the first time on September 3, 2008.
A Meaningful Beginning to a Historic Journey
From “Lemons to Lemonade,” Roybal Learning Center is a success story because of community support, the willingness to meet
challenges head-on and the commitment to provide inner-city students with a school they can call their own. Now, students of primarily
low-income Latino families who were bused to out-of-the-area year-round schools proudly attend classes on an outstanding, state-of-theart, sustainable campus, right in their own neighborhood. They enjoy a traditional two-semester calendar and more personalized learning
experiences on what is like a mini college campus, full of open corridors and green spaces.
Roybal Learning Center is named in honor of the late U.S. Congressman Edward R. Roybal (1916-2005), who is recognized as one of the
most prominent Latino civil rights leaders of the 20th Century. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, his daughter, U.S. Congresswoman
Lucille Roybal Allard said tearfully, “My father believed that education was the single greatest gift we could pass onto our children,
because an education, as he would say, ‘never can be taken away from you.’ That is why he fought throughout his career to provide our
community with quality educational opportunities like the Roybal Learning Center will offer.”
Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center, which at one time seemed like a lost cause, has been
transformed into a remarkable and dynamic learning environment that will serve its ever-growing inner-city downtown Los Angeles
community well into the future.
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Project Budget: $202,305,125
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Project Details
Project Name
Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
City
Los Angeles
State
California
District Name
Los Angeles Unified School District
Supt/President
Ramon C. Cortines
Occupancy Date
September 3, 2008
Grades Housed
9-12
Capacity(Students)
2,808
Site Size (acres)
33.5
Gross Area (sq. ft.)
309,000
Per Occupant(pupil)
110
gross/net please indicate
Design and Build?
309,000/276,226 – 1.19
No
If yes, Total Cost:
Includes:
If no,
Site Development:
$490,644
Building Construction:
$150,028,549 (Including Fixed Equipment)
Fixed Equipment:
(See above)
Other:
$51,785,932 (Including Methane Mitigation System and soft costs)
Total:
$202,305,125
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Ed Spec/Program of Requirements
• Please see PDF files with submittal package.
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Project Data: Confidential Form
Submitting Firm :
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
WWCOT
Architect of Record
Julie Barrett
Senior Associate
3130 Wilshire Boulevard, Sixth Floor
Santa Monica, California USA
949-357-7206
Joint Partner Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
N/A
Other Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
TBI & Associates
Project Manager/Owner’s Representative
Rick Hijazi
President
800 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 320
Los Angeles, California USA
213-312-1200
Construction Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Hensel Phelps Construction Company
General Contractor
Jeff Brunswig
Project Manager
18850 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 100
Irvine, California, USA
(949) 852-0111
LAUSD Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Photo Release
Print, Sign, Scan and Submit with Package
Name of Project: Edward R. Roybal Learning Center
Location of Project: Los Angeles, California
Occupancy Date, if applicable: September 3, 2008
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aSpecial projects with prior permission.
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Your information will be entered and recorded as one of those designs.
Firm: WWCOT
Responsible Party/Photographer: Andrea Cohen Gehring, FAIA, LEED®AP
Signature:
Date of Release: April 21, 2009