Design and Architecture
Building LA's Schools
School may be out, but the school building program goes on. Nearly 40 years since its last schools were built, the LA Unified School District is building 80 new schools, 60 additions and 19 playgrounds. The multi-billion-dollar program will house 200,000 students over the next ten years. Frances Anderton speaks with LAUSD Chief Facilities Executive Jim McConnell about the challenging construction project that's starting to bear fruit, and with architect Thom Mayne, who's designed innovative public schools in Pomona and Long Beach. This, plus news about a downtown summer arts program for teens.
By Frances Anderton • • 30m ListenJim McConnell is chief facilities executive for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Thom Mayne is a principal partner at Morphosis, architect of the Science Center School in Exposition Park, Diamond Ranch High School in Pomona and the International Elementary School in Long Beach. His design for CalTrans District 7 Headquarters is also under construction at 1st and Main in downtown. (http://www.casciencectr.com/Education/AboutUs/AboutUs.php) (http://www.casciencectr.com/Education/AboutUs/AboutUs.php) (http://www.pusd.org/public_school_HomePage.asp?schooltype=3&schoolid=00451) (http://www.casciencectr.com/Education/AboutUs/AboutUs.php) (http://www.casciencectr.com/Education/AboutUs/AboutUs.php) (http://www.pusd.org/public_school_HomePage.asp?schooltype=3&schoolid=00451) (http://www.lbusd.k12.ca.us/intl/index.html)