Paul Bunton’s BCA Architects Partners with Community to Design a School that Optimizes Learning and Student Safety
Posted: July 16, 2012 Filed under: Sustainable Design | Tags: Paul Bunton BCA Architects Leave a commentAlong with focusing on education in a 21st century learning environment, safety was of utmost concern to President Paul Bunton’s BCA Architects, the community-based Steering Committee and the Merced Union High School District Administration that collaborated together to design the new El Capitan High School in Merced, CA. The new 2,000-student school just reached the 50% complete milestone and is on track to open for classes in fall 2013.
“This is truly a school designed by the community,” said Paul Bunton, AIA, president of BCA Architects. “This collaboration is evident in the design of several buildings on campus such as the gymnasiums, the performing arts center, cafeteria and the library that each are sited to allow after hours access by the public while maintaining security in the quadrangle.”
According to Bunton, the design of the new high school, from start to finish, responded to the Board of Trustees objectives of “providing students with a quality learning environment the students will respond to with pride, commitment, and respect.” “It is an incredible environment that will both motivate and challenge the students that enter it to excel in life. The desire to convey an attitude of Student Achievement in a high quality, safe, educational environment was paramount.” Said Bunton.
Michael Belluomini, the District’s Director of Facilities stated “Having worked on the planning of two high schools in the district prior to BCA’s involvement, I was struck by BCA’s attention to obtaining stakeholder input regarding the design of the school. The final design of the school is tailored to the needs of teachers, students, administrators and staff.”
During the course of the design, the Merced Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team reviewed BCA’s design and offered valuable information that would help the Police Department evaluate “lock down” procedures and intruder scenarios at the school. These collaborative efforts even inspired a change in the design from interior corridors to exterior corridors so school administrators would be able to aid the Merced SWAT team should an unfortunate Columbine-type of event occur in Merced.
“BCA’s clear awareness of the importance of student safety in schools led them to include the Merced Police Department early in the design of the new Bellevue Road Area High School,” said Chief of Police Norm Andrade of the Merced Police Department. “This holistic vision of their public school design has led to an incredibly integrated and safe solution.”
El Capitan High School was designed primarily as a two-story campus with interconnected buildings that wrap around a large central landscaped quadrangle and provide exceptional visual supervision. The sweeping curve of the main educational building is reflective of Fehrens Creek that runs directly behind the new high school.
The project has been designed as a Collaborative for High Performance Schools facility and is being built with durable products and materials such as masonry, steel, and energy efficient mechanical equipment. The end design always kept the community’s goals in mind: Student Achievement, Safety, Family and Community Partnerships:
“BCA Architects successfully and skillfully led the complex design process for the new (El Capitan) High School in Merced. As a member of the Steering Committee and a member of the local Community, I was impressed with the design of the new high school, and BCA’s responsiveness to the Committee,” said Bill Cahill, assistant city manager, City of Merced.“ BCA’s design solution for this new High School integrated the community’s perspective on diverse issues, while responding to a very difficult site.”
The campus was designed for extensive flexibility throughout the years and will be capable of growing to a 2,600-student capacity through the use of portable classrooms to accommodate the growing community until the next new high school is designed and constructed. Fifty-percent of the funds to construct the new high schools are mandated to stay in Merced County to help stimulate the local economy.
BCA ARCHITECTS SELECTED TO MODERNIZE LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE NURSING AND HEALTH TECHNOLOGY BUILDING
Posted: July 5, 2012 Filed under: Awards, BCA Bios, BCA Did You Know?, BCA Q&A's, Sustainable Design | Tags: BCA Architects Leave a commentLong Beach, Calif. – After successfully completing the Programming and Schematic design phases of the project in collaboration with the Long Beach City College District team, user group and bond management team, BCA Architects continues their partnership with the LBCCD to modernize their Nursing and Health Technology building.
Long Beach City College (LBCC) is the home of the nationally recognized nursing program offered by the Health and Technology Department. The Health and Technology building is a three story building constructed circa 1969. The total enclosed area of the building being modernized is 23,250 square feet. Currently the Nursing Department is preparing students to work in 21st century hospitals in a facility built in 1969 – to maximize the use of the existing spaces and to provide a 21st Century Learning Environment, designed for the specific needs of the Nursing and Health Technology program, the College District and BCA Architects have embarked on converting all existing enclosed areas to support new functional needs of the Department.
Paul Bunton, AIA, President of BCA Architects said “BCA is enjoying our partnership with the Long Beach City College and their Bond Management Team to assist in the modernization and expansion of this exciting and progressive program. The students of LBCC will be learning in one of the most state of the art nursing and health technology facilities in the State.”
Since 1927, LBCC has been serving the needs of the city of Long Beach and its neighboring districts of Avalon, Lakewood and Signal Hill. Long Beach Community College District is making significant improvements to both of their campuses and implementing construction program under the Measure E Bond Program, Proposition 1A, Proposition 47, Proposition 55, and State funded scheduled maintenance projects.
The Renovation of Building C – Nursing and Health Technology building project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2014.
BCA Architects Current News
Posted: May 10, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized Leave a comment
BCA’s San Jose Headquarters is a “green” model of efficiency and the firm has obtained LEED Certification for BCA’s new building at 505 South Market Street in downtown San Jose, CA (receipt of official U.S. Green Building Council plaque pending any day).By integrating energy-efficiency, sustainability and water reduction attributes, BCA Architects was also able to recycle about 84 percent of the existing building structure and divert 89 percent of construction waste from the landfill.
“As architects, we believe in sustainability as a way of life and we believe in leading by example,”said BCA Architect Petya Kisyova, AIA, LEED AP.
BCA Headquarters
On time and on budget, the new Marshall Elementary School campus and new classroom building at Edison Elementary School in Anaheim City School District are both nearing final DSA (Division of the State Architect) approval next month and will begin construction later this year.The reconstructed Marshall Elementary campus is designed in traditional Mission style architecture and will be able to better support the educational needs of the Anaheim community while housing up to 1,000 students.Outdoor play areas will be maximized through joint-use of the adjacent city park.The new building at Edison Elementary is a contemporary design that echo’s the existing campus architecture.
“It was a challenge to craft a structure that was both functional and blended into the existing environment but we were able to do that by building upon the primary architectural elements of the campus such as deep overhang walkways, expansive glazing units, and incorporating outdoor learning spaces that merge the existing buildings with the new,” stated BCA Project Manager, Monica Grau-Parker.
Marshall ES
Edison ES
· Local talent and workers are contributing to the next Merced, CA showcase for an educational building project.The final building foundations are being poured today for the new 2,000-student El Capitan High School in Merced, CA, designed by BCA Architects for the Merced Union High School District.The project broke ground in June 2011 and is on schedule to be completed in June 2013.
This project is helping stimulate the local economy–roughly 50 percent of the project expenditures are through local suppliers and subcontractors working in harmony.
El Capitan HS
·
Stand by for the ceremonial ribbon to be cut before the end of the year as construction is on schedule for the new Lincoln Elementary School (Anaheim City School District).BCA Architects solved an urban space and efficiency issue by building up instead of out.The school was designed as a two-story campus in order to minimize the building’s footprint in an urban environment, while maximizing gathering areas for the students and community.The design blends traditional Spanish-style with modern architecture.A historic statue of Abe Lincoln from the original school is being restored to place within the new campus.Faculty anticipates moving in over Winter Break.
Lincoln ES
· BCA Architects, working closely with Erickson Hall Construction, recently rejuvenated Clara Barton Elementary, located in Anaheim’s City School District.The campus-wide modernization included removing all of the existing materials, gutting all three of the campus’ buildings down to the frame, rebuilding each structure and then blending in landscaping.The integrity of the original structures was in good shape, which meant the buildings could be salvaged and improved.This saved the District a great deal of money, shortened construction completion time and left the students of Clara Barton with a brand new school inside and out.It is estimated that the new campus, which has all new utilities, extended the life of the campus another 40 years or more.
Modernizing Clara Barton Elementary — BCA Case Study
Posted: January 18, 2012 Filed under: Sustainable Design Leave a commentWe live in a consumer-based society where the general consensus is bigger and newer is almost always better. However, in a time where dwindling resources are becoming a concern, this paradigm is not always the most cost effective or even the smartest.
Coupled with the recent surge of the green movement stressing less is better, sustainable architecture and modernizations have become a popular way of dealing with aging or inefficient buildings. The principle ideas behind the two being why discard something that can simply be improved upon?
The design teams here at BCA Architects, in tandem with Erickson Hall Construction, were recently able to rejuvenate Clara Barton Elementary, located in Anaheim’s City School District, into a seemingly new school. BCA is accustomed to the resourceful approach and has achieved optimum results by merging function and design with several schools throughout California.
The following case study is an example of BCA’s dedication, not only to architectural and innovative excellence, but also to providing California students with quality learning environments.
Case Study: Clara Barton Elementary School Modernization
A Modern Approach from BCA - Clara Barton Elementary School in Anaheim, CA was rejuvenated through functional modernizations
Client: Anaheim City School District
School: Clara Barton Elementary School, 1926 Clearbrook Lane, Anaheim, CA
Project Overview: A 22,500 Sq. Ft. single story modernization of the school’s campus, including reconfigured classrooms and the administration offices. Updated interior and exterior finishes with new and more energy efficient materials and fixtures. HVAC (Heating, Ventilations, Air Conditioning) units, windows, and paint were also updated.
Date Project was Awarded: March 2010
Completion Date: January 2012
Total Project Value: $6.5 million
Contractor: Erickson Hall Construction
Key Aspects of the Project
- Modernization
- Sustainable design (CHPS)
- $142,000 obtained in High Performance grants
- Lease-leaseback Delivery Method
Permits K-12 school districts to hire a developer-contractor to design and build a project. The school district, which owns the property, leases it to the general contractor during the construction phase, enabling the project to move faster. The developer then leases the property back to the school district until construction is completed and the district buys out the lease.
The campus-wide modernization included completely removing all of the existing materials, gutting all three of the campus’ buildings down to the frame, rebuilding each structure and landscaping.
The integrity of the original structures was in good shape, which meant the buildings could be salvaged and rebuilt upon. This saved the Anaheim School District a great deal of money, expedited construction completion time and left the students of Clara Barton with a brand new school inside and out.
It is estimated that the new campus, which has all new utilities, extended the life of the campus another 40 years or more.
Renovation Results: So what does this all mean?
Clara Barton Elementary’s renovation will have a positive impact on not only the students, but the teachers as well. The revamped conditions are vastly improved as the school previously had poor lighting, poor ventilation, deteriorating HVAC, and small windows.
The physical buildings weren’t the only part of the school that received an upgrade–Clara Barton now has updated technology, including:
- Updated projection systems
- Audio enhancement
- Television capabilities
- Computer teaching systems in each classroom
These necessary technological upgrades to classrooms and to the school will help keep students engaged and will gives teachers the tools they require to give their students the best opportunities to learn.
With a reputation for exceptional customer service, BCA looks forward to continuing its mission of providing customers with outstanding results that are both esthetically pleasing and functional. Regardless of the scale of the project, BCA’s results driven projects strengthen client’s abilities and enhance their communities, for years to come.
Did You Know? BCA’s Five Ways to Design Student Sucess
Posted: November 29, 2011 Filed under: BCA Did You Know? Leave a comment
- Christopher High School in Gilroy California has been recognized for incorporating all five important design aspects to stimulate student success
For years, professional organizations and governmental agencies have been calling attention to the deteriorating condition of the nation’s schools. It’s widely recognized that students in classrooms with adverse conditions are absent more often, lose hours in the classroom, and are less productive.
Here are five educational design aspects that BCA has mastered, effectively working to shift the paradigm and help students succeed in the classroom.
1. Safety
Whether speaking of students’ personal safety or the general safety of their built physical learning environment, schools should be in good physical condition and “personal safety” should be guaranteed in order for effective learning to occur.
2. Intrinsic Motivation
Without a doubt, the quality of school’s design has an impact on student motivation. Most students learn more and achieve at higher levels if the school’s design can evoke positive emotions. Both teachers and students are more effective in a creatively-designed and well thought out environment – one that students and teachers can be proud to see every morning.
3. Comfort
The condition of a school is very important to help students find a degree of mental and physical comfort in their surroundings. In general terms, students don’t want to come to school and look at an unmaintained building. Well-kept and clean environments have shown to have a calming and positive affect on students and staff moods.
4. Peer Behavior
Peer behavior and conduct can be a catalyst in determining success, as well a possible distraction from accomplishing educational tasks and goals. When provided with a well-designed environment, students feel an elevated level of professionalism and are thus are more respectful towards one another.
5. Learning Space
Students can feel irritated if placed in a small, or overcrowded environment. Adequate amounts of natural day lighting and properly ventilated and air-conditioned spaces contribute to effective student learning. Also, interactive whiteboards, WiFi and other helpful learning tools offer a comprehensive and creative approach to education.
BCA Architects designed the newly opened Christopher High School in Gilroy, California. When compared to the neighboring and elder Gilroy High School, it is clearly seen how BCA’s innovative designs provide for a positive learning environment.
2011
Gilroy High School API Scores 740 2011
Christopher High School API Scores 796 (7.6% increase)
2010
Gilroy High School API Scores 729 2010
Christopher High School API Scores 783 (7.4% increase)
The Students of CHS are the same students that were at Gilroy HS the previous year. The Teachers of CHS are the same teachers that were at Gilroy HS the previous year.
Q&A with Architect Petya Kisyova – BCA Design Awards and the Future of Architecture
Posted: November 15, 2011 Filed under: BCA Q&A's Leave a commentOver the last few years, BCA Architects has emerged as a leading sustainable designer for schools throughout the state of California. More recently, BCA has walked the walk and won the Structures Award for Green Project – Private for the repurposing of the their new office on 505 South Market Street in downtown San Jose.
We recently sat down with BCA’s green design specialist Petya Kisyova to discuss the design award, the meaning of a green building, the impact it has on the people who work in and study in the buildings, as well as her thoughts on the future of architectural design.
Q/A
Q/ Petya, First off, congratulations on being awarded a Structures Award for Green Project – Private for the BCA office in San Jose. The award rightfully recognizes the BCA Headquarters for green features such as abundant natural light, increased green space and clean, natural air flow.
Please tell us a bit more about your award winning design, where you drew your inspiration from, and how do these features drive engagement and inspiration at BCA?
A/ Well thank you for the recognition. When we talk about the design for the building, we have to start by saying that this was an existing building. We renovated it by taking the original building, which was an auto manufacturing showroom in the 1920s, then a carpet store in the 1960s, and repurposing 90% of the existing structure. And by structure, I mean simply the load bearing walls and the roof. Doing this was great because we were able to breathe life into an old building, creating an example of the progression taking place in architectural design.
Oftentimes when we work with clients, say for example on school projects, the first question our clients ask about going green is “how much will it cost?“
Paul Bunton, the President and Founder of BCA Architects, has always been insistent that minimal but effective levels of sustainability can be achieved at no extra cost. During the process of he approached our team really encouraged us to be creative in the design. He focused us and allowed us to set the bar with basic sustainability standards and show our clients that what we did can be done with no extra cost.
Q/ Can you tell us more about the significance of having a building like this one?
A/ When it comes to thinking of a sustainable and green work environment, we can often forget that the purpose of being environmentally friendly includes human beings as part of that environment. So by saying that green design is not just about nature but also about the people, we can create sustainable environments that allow our clients and employees to perform to the best of their abilities. We are able to confidently tell our clients: “Your kids will study better, the teachers will be healthier, and test score will be higher.” The same can be said for our own headquarters here in San Jose.
We created a healthier environment for our own team and we are now experiencing the results of it. The efficiency and excitement here at BCA is better than ever before. People are healthier and able to perform without ever being uncomfortable. The feel of the office is amazing.
Q/ As a recognized expert in this industry, what do you anticipate being the next big thing in sustainable design?
A/ My anticipation is that we will stop talking about sustainable design as something separate from architectural design. I think sustainable design was always part of what we do as architects and it will continue being this way.
Currently building codes are changing. There won’t be separate systems but it will be expected that all buildings be designed in sustainable fashion. Somehow we drifted away from it, but now we are getting back on track.
Petya Kisyova has over two decades of experience managing and delivering complex public high school projects throughout California. As a leading architect at BCA, she humbly yields an incredible track record of delivering projects within the budget and time parameters set by BCA clients.
Petya is BCA’s in-house “green” expert and a top talent for working with educational clients across the State to bring their facilities into current 21st Century Learning Environments.
BCA is Heralded for Chula Vista Performing Arts Center – South San Diego’s Largest Theatre Venue
Posted: October 25, 2011 Filed under: Sustainable Design Leave a commentBCA Architects, one of California’s top educational architectural specialists, utilized functionality and sustainability to shape the design of Chula Vista High School’s (CVHS) two newest buildings, 
a state-‐of-‐the-‐art library and performing arts center. Both buildings have uplifted the dated institution and are direct beneficiaries of public funding through Prop O, the Sweetwater Union High School District’s $644 million bond measure.
“It’s been a godsend,” said Chula Vista’s High School’s Assistant Principle Kevin Willard. “Chula Vista High School is home to over one thousand guitar players, singers, dancers, musicians and performers. Now, thanks to this magnificent building, we are able to hold events in a venue worthy of our student’s talents. The kids love it.”
Since the December 2010 completion, the impacted 2,700-‐student, 70-‐year-‐old CVHS campus has benefited from the striking new structures as they have provided much needed support to the high school’s burgeoning performing arts and academic programs. With a capacity of 750, Chula Vista High School’s Performing Arts Center is South San Diego’s largest and most sustainable theatrical arts facility.
BCA Architects Nominated for Prestigious Orchid Award for Sweetwater High School’s Gateway Complex
Posted: October 11, 2011 Filed under: Awards, Sustainable Design Leave a comment10.11.2011
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. (October 11, 2011) – California educational architectural specialists BCA Architects has been nominated for the coveted Orchid Award for the Sweetwater High School’s new Gateway Complex, qualifying BCA Architects for the Sustainable Design and People’s Choice categories. Presented each year by the San Diego Architectural Foundation, the annual Orchid and Onion program recognizes San Diego’s most outstanding architecture, planning and urban design throughout the San Diego region.
The annual Orchids and Onions ceremony for best and worst in San Diego architecture is on October 27
The various categories for the annual Orchids and Onions program include: architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, historic preservation, sustainable design, miscellaneous and people’s choice. Located on the corner of 30th and Highland Ave in National City, the new Gateway Complex is an 81,000-square-foot, three-story building equipped with 34 classrooms, wireless technology, interactive white boards, a counseling and health center, as well as new administration and student services offices, a new library and a 200-seat theater.
“Not only did we design a ‘green’ building to save energy and money for the District, but we also intended for the building itself to be used as a tool to help teach students invaluable lessons regarding the importance of protecting our environment and our energy future,” said BCA Architects Lead Designer, Samer Kawar.
This year’s award ceremony will be held on October 27th at the Westfield Horton Plaza Event Space Awards Ceremony at the historic Balboa Theater. In all categories except People’s Choice, a jury of design professionals and artists will determine the official Orchids & Onions based upon the public’s submissions. To vote for the People’s Choice Category or for more information on the program, visit http://www.orchidsandonions.org/.
For more information on BCA Architects or Sweetwater High School’s new Gateway Complex, please contact Tomas Urtasun by email at tomas.urtasun@focuscominc.comor by phone at 619.994.7417.
BCA Architects San Jose Headquarters Named “Green Project of the Year”
Posted: September 27, 2011 Filed under: Sustainable Design Leave a comment
BCA Architects' San Jose Headquarters was recognized for being a leading sustainable, energy efficient and water conscious facility
On Tuesday, September 20, BCA Architects, a California educational architectural specialist and an officially recognized Bay Area Green Business, was awarded the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal’s “Green Project of the Year, Private,” recognizing the repurposing, energy-efficient and sustainable design of their San Jose Headquarters.
As part of the annual Structures Awards, which honors the best people and projects in Silicon Valley real estate, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal recognized the BCA Architects headquarters as the “Green Project of Year” for incorporating old timber trusses, skylights and other historic finds from the original building. By integrating modernized, energy-efficiency, sustainability and water reduction attributes, BCA Architects was also able to recycle about 84 percent of the existing building structure and divert 89 percent of construction waste from the landfill.
“As architects, we believe in sustainability as a way of life and we believe in leading by example,” said BCA Architect Petya Kisyova, AIA. “We partner with our clients to achieve excellence in design and create high quality built environments for the benefit of the communities that we serve.“
In August 2010, BCA Architects relocated its corporate headquarters to the historic 16,385 square foot Eagle Body Manufacturing building located in the San Jose South First Area (SoFA) arts and cultural district. Improvements to the nearly 90 year-old building included the addition of more than 4,000 square feet of structural upgrades, facade improvement and building system energy-efficiency upgrades to accommodate office use and cost-savings.
The San Jose Redevelopment Agency contributed $630,000 to the $3.1 million historic preservation project that brings approximately 45 more office workers to downtown’s lively SoFA. By preserving the building into a new, state-of-the-art headquarters, BCA Architects exemplifies their commitment to operate a business in a manner that protects, preserves and sustains the environment.
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