Steve Kendrick, an Education Principal in our Newport Beach office took a group of interns and Emerging Professionals out for a tour of Earl Warren Middle School. We have been working in collaboration with consultants to renovate the middle school, it is about half way complete now and is already such an improvement!

Earl Warren is a unique school that resides in the beach town Solana Beach. When the P.E. department offers surfing and the kids arrive at school on a skateboard, you just have to embrace the beach! We are incorporating this culture into the new school design by using details like curved roofs to recall ocean waves, “weathered wood” siding maintains the beach house vibe and surfboard details show up as signage, flags and even as shapes in the concrete entry paving. Outdoor learning will happen everywhere, from the learning courtyards to the central stairway that acts as amphitheater seating.

Our emerging professionals and seasoned experts shared insights on various framing systems, exterior skin materials and specific design issues to consider when coordinating with our consultants. Being able to pay it forward and always learning are two of the best things about being a design professional.