by ArchitectureWeek

A newly opened school in Newport Beach provides both the medium and the message for teachers and parents in Southern California, who were already instilling in their children a respect for energy conservation before an electricity shortage hit the western United States.

Architects in the Pasadena office of the firm
Perkins & Will designed the Newport Coast Elementary School in Orange County, projected to save energy at a level 43 percent above the minimum state standards by exploiting daylight, natural ventilation, and a mild climate.

As one reward, the architects have been given a "Savings by Design Energy Efficiency Integration Award" for "superlative design and creativity fused with environmental sensitivity and innovative energy efficiency solutions." The award was co-sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison Company in partnership with the American Institute of Architects California Council.

In making the award, the jury stated: "The design team provided extensive studies of the design, the daylighting models, and the ventilation simulations that could be a textbook for school design."

Perhaps a more significant reward will accrue over time, as 700 students watch the performance of their clay-tile-roofed, neo-Tuscan-style school throughout the day and year and learn about how their building manifests energy conservation and sustainability. The children will also test the hypothesis of architects and utilities that the resulting environment will stimulate learning.

A clerestory daylights one of the clustered classrooms. Photo: Perkins & Will Courtyards provide light and air to the classrooms. Image: Perkins & Will   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.