Planning & Design Meetings Schematic Design Meeting #3 10/28/2009 - MinutesPalo Alto HS FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District 03 June 2009
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PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL
Palo Alto Unified School District
MEETING NOTES
DATE: 28 October 2009, 3:15pm-5:00pm
SUBJECT: Media Arts Building Schematic Design Meeting 3
ATTENDEES: See attached sign-in sheet
The following are the highlights of the meeting:
1. Erwin Lee (EL) presented updated floor plans and new interior elevations. The
ensuing discussion was as follows:
1st Floor:
Newspaper & Magazine Journalism & Lab
Paul Kandell (PK) asked that the windows facing the back parking area be
restricted to high clerestory windows to discourage theft and vandalism as there
will be a large amount of computers and valuable equipment in these rooms.
PK thought marker boards would be useful along the long exterior wall.
EL explained that there would be teaching walls at each end in the Newspaper
and Magazine Journalism rooms. Each would have a smart board flanked by a
pair of sliding marker boards with shelving behind. PK like the arrangement but
asked if there could be cabinets on the interior wall for flat filing (mail slots).
Darkroom
EL noted that a more standard vestibule light lock might be necessary if the
revolving type door is no longer acceptable at DSA. A standard light lock would
work better with adjacent casework. Margo Wixson (MW) agreed and said she
would be doing elevations and a layout.
Photography Classroom
MW said she would prefer only clerestory windows at both exterior and interior
wall though she was open to having obscure glass at the exterior wall, down to
counter height.
MW said she would be providing a layout for this room and kept the interior
elevation drawing to work on.
Flex Portrait Studio
MW asked the group for any suggested table top setup arrangements.
Kitchen & Utility
PK asked that the room be enlarged back to its former size because the rooms
should seat 30 for dining. EL agreed and the Electric Room was relocated to the
IB room by the exit door. The IDF room was relocated to the 2nd floor.
Palo Alto HS FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District 03 June 2009
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2nd Floor:
Board Room and Broadcast Bay Rooms
EL relocated the IDF room to one of the Broadcast Bay rooms with access
through the Board Room.
EL enlarged the Broadcast Bay room facing the hallway.
Journalism Library
PK asked for an additional bookshelf along the wall by the stairway.
Magazine Journalism
Ellen Austin (EA) asked that her office have a glass wall at the Hallway.
EA took the group on a tour of her office and highlighted her needs for marker
boards and storage modules for magazine and book display and storage.
EL said the teaching wall would provide ample storage plus a counter and
cabinets can be added at the opposite wall below the exterior windows. The
counter is typically 34-inches high with a 4” backsplash.
EA asked for marker boards on the other two walls and asked for tack-able
surfaces above the marker boards at the long interior wall.
Video Production Classroom
MW suggested that instead of one teaching wall at the end wall there be two
teaching walls at the interior wall so that two classrooms can function when the
folding partition is closed. EL agreed and placed a simple marker board at the
end wall instead.
It’s noted that Ron, who will be using this classroom needs to provide input
about the amount of natural light he requires and the control of it.
Viewing Mezzanine & Forum
PK asked how the viewing mezzanine would be affected by natural light. Chris
Ades (CA) noted that light from the Lobby will be minimal as there is an 8-foot
high wall that separates it from that space. EL explained that the wall can be a
translucent marker board. CA added that most light will come from the light
monitor above the Forum.
EL asked PK whether he visualizes the Forum as a lighter or darker space and
how often he might need it to be darkened for video. PK answered that he likes
natural light but needs full control over the light to prevent annoying glare that
adversely affects presentations.
EL suggested omitting some clerestory windows at the monitor to help control
the light and save cost. Operable shades need to be electronically operated and
together with the cost of the windows it’s substantial. CA said he felt it important
to keep the entire bank of clerestory windows to enhance the look of the space
and thought that obscure glass could help reduce the need for shading.
6. PK at the last meeting had suggested ways to soften the west corner of the building
and draw attention to the activities within. This corner is seen first from the shopping
plaza crosswalk and students arriving from Building 100. CA presented a 3-D study
of this corner showing a covered area and a video display kiosk. The ensuing
discussion was as follows:
Palo Alto HS FACILITIES STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District 03 June 2009
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PK thought that conceptually it was a good idea but it might benefit from more
features such as built-in seating areas against the building walls. The group
agreed with this strategy.
Many in the group thought this drop off area could extend to Building 100 as a
covered walkway connector.
MW suggested it be taller than Building 100 to match a high covered walkway
nearby. She liked the idea of introducing arches and/or a trellis feature so that it
blends in with the other covered walkways on campus.
7. EL suggested that for the next meeting Ron and Esther need to attend. Decisions
for the interior design need to be finalized as the design is being prepared for the
BOE.
8. EL noted that DLM will incorporate changes discussed at this meeting into the plans
by the next meeting. There will also be more development of the exterior design.
Aimee Lopez (AL) scheduled the next meeting for the 4th of November, 2009 and
noted that this will be the group’s final meeting for Schematic Design.
END
Prepared by Christopher Ades of Deems Lewis McKinley. Please advise if you feel that any of the above
items are inaccurate or need further clarification or detail.
cc: Attendees, File