Rachlin Partners

Owner:

Los Angeles Unified School District

Architect:

Rachlin Partners

General Contractor:

Turner Construction

Scope Of Work

Rachlin Partners was retained to design a 25,000-SF Primary Center including two kindergartens, eight multi-media classrooms, an administration complex, a library, multipurpose room, food service and outdoor assembly areas. 

Working in an urban setting in East Los Angeles with strong cultural influences, Rachlin Partners has created a Primary Center for the Los Angeles Unified School District with a design aesthetic that respects the neighborhood context. The focus of the campus organization is the central multiuse courtyard, which is defined by the building placement and intended as a lively social nexus. Clustered around the courtyard are administrative and multipurpose buildings whose arrangement provides a safe, secure and inviting environment. The classroom building derives its shape from the curvilinear site footprint, thereby softening its edge relative to its residential neighbors. The buildings’ forms are compact and cost efficient, located in anticipation of the future eight-classroom addition. They share a common palette of materials and colors with the dominant wall areas consisting of cement plaster on metal studs enhanced by decorative accents of brightly colored surfaces and materials such as tile, glass and steel. 

Recipient of a 2006 C.A.S.H. (Coalition for Adequate School Housing) / AIACC (American Institute of Architects California Council) Leroy F. Green Design Award of Honor. Also a featured winning project in Learning by Design, School Planning & Management, and American School & University.