The Bayshore Elementary School K8 Conversion Project is a story of how good planning and design can overcome the challenge of budget constraints. In June of 2014, the Bayshore Unified School District passed a general obligation bond for $4 million in the hope of modernizing both of its campuses to be more competitive in the 21st Century Educational Environment. Like many school districts in California, the needs far outweighed the ability of the District to generate tax revenue for its bond, as well as leverage state bond funding that may, or may not, be available in the future. The solution, was to consider combining the two campuses of Bayshore and Robertson Elementary into a single campus that could allow for the surplus site sale of one of its sites. The real estate value in the South San Francisco neighborhood of Daly City proved successful enough to identify as much as $9 million additional dollars and create a total funding stream that would allow the District to build a single, state-of-the-art campus on the Bayshore site for all of its student population, including factors for growth.

The project is planned to incorporate 50,000 SF of classroom, administration and multi-purpose area on an existing site that covers approximately 2 acres in downtown Daly City. Due to the urban nature of the site, careful consideration was given to the safety and security of the design by positioning the facilities closer to the street and creating a single point of entry adjacent to the administration wing. This eliminated the need for fencing at the front of the campus, and greatly enhances the curb appeal. Windows on the ground story, street side of the classroom wing are positioned above the eye sight of the public. Upstairs, the design utilizes ribbon glazing to allow for complete floor to ceiling glass and maximizes the natural daylighting opportunities.

The design of the learning environments is indicative of the best 21st Century learning concepts, including shared “hub” areas for interactive learning and socialization, and a learning resource “lab” area that functions as a lounge area and stage as much as it does a student library. Each of the classroom areas are planned to include interactive, touch sensitive projection devices, movable furnishings, wireless technology and a combination of tackable and writable surfaces. Movable walls on the ground floor allow for direct connection to the outdoor learning areas and gardens.

Much attention was paid to the physical design of the school, to incorporate a form and materials that were indicative of the Bay Area and of a modern, urban site. The extensive use of glazing and stone suggests a clean, solid approach to elementary education and the curved floor plans and roof lines are suggestive of the ocean, the bay and the waves that are part of the region’s natural environment.

High Performance was also a significant consideration in the design. With extensive glazing and the potential to increase solar gain above acceptable levels, vertical perforated metal scrim panels are planned to help diminish those gains and also cut down glare on the east and west facing facades. The project features skylights for natural daylighting of the upper story and green roofs in between the “wave” of the classroom wing. The project will be among the first as a comprehensive campus planned under the 2013 California Building Code Title 24 mandate and will utilize extensive LED lighting, high efficiency HVAC systems including displacement air and natural ventilation, as well measures for enhanced commissioning that should enhance comfort and control.