Former Drive-In Becomes Home to New $23M Middle School
When the Van Nuys Drive-In was closed in 1998, many wondered what would become of the 14.4-acre site and how it would serve the community. Well, wonder no more. Today, Los Angeles Unified School District breaks ground on the former drive-in site turned middle school, as East Valley Middle School No. 2 becomes one of the latest Los Angeles Unified School District facilities to enter into construction.
(PRWEB) November 8, 2002
When the Van Nuys Drive-In was closed in 1998, many wondered what would become of the 14.4-acre site and how it would serve the community. Well, wonder no more. Today, Los Angeles Unified School District breaks ground on the former drive-in site turned middle school, as East Valley Middle School No. 2 becomes one of the latest Los Angeles Unified School District facilities to enter into construction.
“We found a partner [in this project] through the community. Together, we were able to achieve our goal--to design a school that not only met the student’s educational needs, but provided a framework for how the community works, lives and plays,” said David Mitani, principal of the The Steinberg Group’s Los Angeles office.
When it opens in September 2004, East Valley Middle School No. 2 will be home to more than 1620 students on a traditional calendar and provide 56 basic instructional classrooms, 11 special education classrooms, as well as a gymnasium, basketball and volleyball courts, a two-story library, choral and instrumental classroom spaces, three baseball fields and administrative and dining spaces within 160,000 SF of building area.
The school consists of two - and three-story buildings organized around a central exterior assembly courtyard. The larger community oriented components, such as the multi-purpose room, gymnasium and library, anchor the corners of the building, providing identity to the school. The two offset grids generated from the streets, Roscoe Boulevard to the north and Noble Avenue to the West and the Flood Control Channel to the East create a skew in the building mass that affords overlapping of building components at the main entrance. In order to maximize day lighting and natural ventilation, the building is sited with the classrooms facing north and south with ceiling heights at 9-1/2 feet for daylight penetration. Eave projections and eyebrows over windows provide shade control on the southern and western facing windows.
The playfields are strategically placed on the site to provide a buffer to the neighborhood. This outdoor green space also serves as a much needed “neighborhood park” for weekend use.
A large portion of the buildingsÂ’ circulation space and stairways open directly to the exterior assembly area, providing socialization opportunities, open sight lines and ease of supervision.
The schoolÂ’s design blends a progressive modern aesthetic with durability to provide a rich environment for learning. The exterior walls will be cement plaster finish with selective use of architectural concrete block at the library, multi-purpose room and the gymnasium building. The library and administration areas will be carpeted with tack boards. Additionally, the multi-purpose room will have a patterned vinyl composition tile floor in the main dining room and a wood platform.
Classrooms will all have vinyl composition tile flooring, painted gypsum board walls and abundant storage space.
The landscaping at East Valley Middle School No. 2 is driven by a response to the architectural footprint of the buildings, as well as the unique history of the site. Details include the design and layout of seating elements that allude to both the history of the site itself – a drive-in movie theater – and of Van Nuys and its place in automobile production; palm trees at the entrances respect the existing palms on the site; a series of sliding metal gates which control access from the courtyard to the sport fields; a complex of basketball and handball courts in addition to a soccer field, three baseball diamonds and a quarter-mile running track. Additionally, the main courtyard provides a variety of spaces that may be utilized as “outdoor classrooms.”
The Steinberg Group design team includes: David Mitani, AIA, Principal, Mun Leu, AIA, Project Manager, and Michael Monier, Project Architect and Lillian Kay, Designer/Drafter.
Bernards Brothers based in San Fernando, CA, will be the general contractor.
Founded in 1953, The Steinberg Group (TSG) has over 100 architects and interiors professionals in its Los Angeles and San Jose, California offices. The firm is renowned for its design in educational facilities and has completed housing and academic projects on more than 19 college and university campuses throughout California.
Current Projects in design by The Steinberg GroupÂ’s Los Angeles office include:
Ø San Diego State University, Sorority Row,
San Diego, CA
Ø Quadrangle Building, Riverside Community
College, Riverside, CA
Ø Los Angles Unified School District,
Fremont Primary Center, Los Angeles, CA
An award winning design firm, The Steinberg Group has received recognition from numerous industry organizations including the American Institute of Architects, the National Council on SeniorÂ’s Housing and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment officials. For more information visit www. tsgarch. com.
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Contact:
Vanessa Amin
Vamin@hoytorg. com
