California district breaks ground on third high school

News release from NTDSTICHLER Architecture:

A formal groundbreaking ceremony held on March 23 marked the beginning of construction on Murrieta Mesa High School of the Murrieta Valley Unified School District. Designed by NTDSTICHLER Architecture and contracted by EDGE Development, the new school will be the third comprehensive high school for the community and will serve a student body of 2,200.

A district-led team of professionals, students, educators, and community members determined educational specifications for the new school, hosting focus group meetings to refine the functional needs and aspirations for Murrieta Mesa High. It was decided that the elements of flexibility, campus identity, connectivity, learning, and teacher planning would play out as the main focal points in the final design concept. In support of these design elements, NTDSTICHLER incorporated departmental classrooms, a single common gathering space on the campus, opportunities for connection with the community, learning/career centers, and instructional spaces within student areas.

The 256,988-square-foot school will sit on a 62-acre site and will feature 82 teaching stations. Funding for the school was provided through the State School Facility Program and through the District’s local bond. Construction on Murrieta Mesa High School is slated for completion in August 2009, in time for the start of the fall semester. Energy efficient design is emphasized throughout the campus with high performance concepts including an energy efficient building shell, day lighting, high performance glazing, and superior acoustics.

NTDSTICHLER Architecture is a 300-person award-winning design firm. Services include architecture, engineering and interior design specializing in healthcare and education facilities, with office locations in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Auburn, Calif., and Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.