New Built

Award of Honor

Cesar Chavez Elementary

Long Beach Unified School District

LPA, Inc.

The Cesar Chavez Elementary School is a study of contrasts. Located in a key redevelopment area of downtown Long Beach , the school functions as a bridge between the adjacent urban and residential neighborhoods. The design came in the form of two distinct building types along two different project “edges”. An “urban edge” was created through the use of a metal frame and infill system, which defines the urban roadside. A “residential edge” was created though the use of curvilinear, organic forms and shapes forming a loose edge at the existing park while still maintaining inner campus security.

As mandated by the design committee, the school is intended to showcase technology in an underserved community. In addition to the school's urban planning and technology goals, both the City as well as the District desired a facility that was environmentally responsible. To meet these desires, the school was planned holistically, responding to both CHPS [chips] and LEED [lead] requirements. The building elements have been arranged to maximize the benefits of daylighting as well as natural ventilation. Sunscreens and shading provide optimum light control while building materials maximize the use of recycled and recyclable materials. Classrooms as well as common areas also incorporate operable windows and dimming systems. Calculations have shown that the facility performs 33% better than the Title 24 requirements.

A juror remarked, “This looks like an interesting campus for students to study and learn. There are a lot of nice interior spaces.”