Comstock's magazine 1019 - October 2019 | Page 105

FIRM
LPA INC.
PROJECT
PIEDMONT HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
LOCATION
San Jose, California
Make science fun. Students deserve it.
Formerly located in aging portables, Pied-
mont Hills High School sought to create a
permanent home for its expanding science
curriculum. The new Science and Class-
room Building negotiates a sloping site on
the edge of the campus and utilizes the
elevation change to connect floors and
frame an intimate courtyard. The court-
yard serves as a new entry to the core of
the campus and provides a variety of out-
door learning options.
JURY’S COMMENTS
“The project’s clean details and creative,
practical solutions for sustainable and me-
chanical features are an important part
of its success. The facades are well-com-
posed, and their restrained material pal-
ette achieves a clarity of composition that
is unique. The grade changes are expertly
manipulated, allowing them to mediate
varied elevations over a short distance to
connect the areas of the site without dis-
tinct platforms, providing an overall co-
hesiveness. The organization and finish
materials of the interiors are equally clear,
with the charcoal gray and white helping
to codify spaces and organize educational
materials. There’s an impressive economy
to the design of the building, with limited
moves accomplishing a great deal.” n
DIVINE DETAIL
Metal Mesh Roof Screen: This is an im-
portant detail for the project to maintain
the simple massing and clean lines of the
buildings and shows a clear understand-
ing of the project’s fundamental design
concept and a commitment to following
through.
PHOTOS BY JASON O’REAR PHOTOGRAPHY
SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SUPPLEMENT
Go to aiacv.org/exparch
Go to aiacv.org to register
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