ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS from the school district, leading to the successful realization of the project. Principal Tom Newton’ s advocacy for CAW Architects’ work adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the accomplishment.
throughout. Despite its modest size, the addition significantly impacts the gathering and circulation spaces, introducing ramps and an interior elevator to navigate the steep grades. Furthermore, the building is uniquely perched to create commanding views over the football fields and ocean, creating a striking presence.
The first floor seamlessly opens to outdoor plazas on either side through large folding doors, transforming into an indoor-outdoor community space for school events, while functioning as a classroom on regular school days. Beyond the primary goal of adding four classrooms, the project contributes new outdoor and gathering spaces, enhanced security boundaries, accessible site circulation, a community gathering space, and even a skybox overlooking the stadium.
Silver Creek High School For Silver Creek High School, CAW added a new feature building on the street corner, and a new front entrance to the campus. This building enhances both the architectural experience and the student experience. The building is sited so that the streetfacing sides are more solid, with a playful pattern of windows and perforated sun shading to form the campus edge. The campus facing side features a forty-foot-wide sliding door that opens the building atrium to the new plaza for indoor-outdoor teaching and events. The central two-story atrium serves as a student hangout space with a mix of large open gathering areas and small balcony perches. The central feature stair makes a gracious connection between the floors, and is also the focal point of the atrium. All ten classrooms face the atrium and have large garage doors that open the classrooms to the atrium. The clearstory windows ringing the atrium bring natural light deep into the building, and also cut direct glare. In addition to the new classrooms, the
Emphasizing durability, the exterior features fiber cement panels, concrete, and large windows. Windows are thoughtfully organized in clusters, providing diffuse natural light to the majority of the northoriented classrooms. The design received appreciation from MPUSD leadership, led by Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh, who supported the team’ s innovative thinking. Notably, the project evolved from the initial idea of adding a building at the rear of the campus to a comprehensive solution addressing broader campus planning challenges. The proposal to demolish a small single classroom building further garnered support
ARCHETECH- PAGE 46