Planning & Design Meetings Schematic Design to Design Development 1/27/2010 - Minutes
SD to DD Transition Meeting
Media Arts Building
Palo Alto High School
27 January 2010
Page 1
PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL
Palo Alto Unified School District
SCHEMATIC DESIGN TO DESIGN DEVLOPMENT
TRANSITION MEETING
DATE: 27 January 2010, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
SUBJECT: Media Arts Building
ATTENDEES: Paul Kandell, Paly English Aimee Lopez, OCMI/PAUSD
Esther Wojcicki, Paly English Heidi Rank, Gilbane Construction
Margo Wixsom, Paly Art Erwin Lee, DLM
Christopher Ades, DLM
The following are the highlights of the meeting:
1. The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the construction management team,
represented by Heidi Rank (HR) of Gilbane Construction, who will be taking over
from the program management team. The transition is taking place between the
schematic design (SD) phase and the design development (DD) phase of the
project. The construction management team will carry the project through
completion and building occupancy.
2. A set of the schematic design drawings, approved by the Board of Education (BOE)
at the 26 January 2010 meeting, was reviewed by the group. The schematic design
set reflects the scope of work that was estimated and reported to the BOE.
3. The design team continued to develop the project beyond the schematic design
phase including incorporating more recent comments that were received from the
users as well as comments from the local fire authority.
4. The DD phase will have a check point against the budget. At that time, a value
engineering exercise will take place to make sure that options are reviewed,
evaluated and discussed to make sure that the project remains within budget.
5. The design team is working towards a submittal to the Division of the State Architect
(DSA) in June 2010.
6. Aimee Lopez (AL) explained that the DD phase is where more detailed design and
construction decisions are made. Any comments or thoughts regarding the design
can still be sent via email to Erwin Lee (EL) at any time.
7. Esther Wojcicki (EW) asked whether she could have input regarding the cabinet
design. El answered that the DD phase is the time to fine tune and clarify the exact
requirements and that meetings will be scheduled to review.
SD to DD Transition Meeting
Media Arts Building
Palo Alto High School
27 January 2010
Page 2
8. EL reviewed the enlarged floor plan drawings showing some of the latest updates.
Comments regarding the current Media Arts floor plans:
First Floor:
Paul Kandell (PK) asked about the possible future conversion of the Darkroom
and Photo Studio to a Flex Space. The grouped studied various options and it
was decided to simply give access to the Darkroom from the Forum if the
Darkroom is no longer required. It allows the Darkroom to become a small
Classroom or meeting space. All agree that the wall between the Interview
Booth Room (IB) to the Darkroom should be framed so that a door can easily be
added in the future. If a larger flex space is needed, the partition between the
Darkroom and Photo Studio can be removed.
Margo Wixsom (MW) requested that the Darkroom and Photo Studio space
have exposed structure and utilities painted flat black, though she noted that the
rooms need to be acoustically isolated from the classrooms above. MW also
requested that these rooms have linoleum flooring similar to the InFocus Room
in Building 100.
MW suggested that the Forum have linoleum flooring at the perimeter with
carpet tile at the center. EL suggested that for consistency all the common
spaces (Forum, Reception and entry alcoves) should be finished with the same
material like carpeting or other flooring. Classrooms could receive distinct
flooring like linoleum if desired.
MW asked if the carpet was a compact weave and Chris Ades (CA) answered
that yes the District standard is Mohawk Supertron SD, a dense flat carpet tile
meant for foot traffic.
Casework in the Kitchen/Utility Room: The following appliances will be provided;
range with warming oven, convection oven, refrigerator/freezer, microwave
ovens (2), and a dishwasher. The 24-foot long counter is long enough to
accommodate them plus space for tall pantry cabinets. EW requested a double
sink with disposal as well.
PK questioned the need for sliding glass doors at the Kitchen/Utility Room. After
discussion it was decided to simplify the design and provide a pair of swinging
(180-degree) glass doors facing the Forum. At the corner a fixed two-sided
glass case would replace the sliding doors. It was also decided to omit the
swinging door to the Reception Area.
PK requested another 2-sided display case at the Conference Room wall facing
the Forum. EL agreed and DLM will make this change.
AL noted that there was no computer cart storage. After discussion it was
decided to move the door into the Electrical Room to the alcove in lieu of
hallway.
HR noted that the two offices on either side of the Lab were slightly different. EL
noted that they’re meant to be the same and the drawing will be adjusted to
reflect that.
PK noted that he thought the stage in the Forum was fixed (not portable) and
about 18-inches high. EL responded that an accessible ramp is required and it
would be best to give it a slope of 5% or less so that handrails are not required.
DLM will study design alternatives.
PK brought up the issue of acoustics and lighting and said that the Forum needs
special treatment to function as a multi-media space. PK liked a high tech open
SD to DD Transition Meeting
Media Arts Building
Palo Alto High School
27 January 2010
Page 3
look but noted that the space will be used for presentations. EL noted that there
will be media and acoustical consultants to help design the spaces.
Second Floor:
PK asked whether it was possible to add a free standing shed on the flat roof
behind the Broadcast Studio for prop storage. PK referred to his visit to the
Cable Coop’s Media Arts Center, Broadcast Studio in Palo Alto which has a very
useful storage room for props and equipment. PK then asked if a room could be
added next to the Broadcast Studio. EL noted that this was possible by
extending the sloped roof, only it would increase the area and cost. PK added
that Mike liked the idea and that sliding doors would be appropriate. EL noted
that DLM will study a design for this space.
MW noted that the Broadcast Studio doesn’t require a ceiling and can have
exposed structure and utilities painted flat black. MW drew a comparison to the
existing InFocus Room with walls and exposed ceiling structure painted black.
AL noted that the folding partition in the Video Production Room divides the
room so that each space is less than a standard classroom. PK suggested that
the folding partition be omitted since it was unknown how many times it would
be used. A fixed partition could be added in the future if the program requires it.
PK did not care for the Mechanical Closets that break up the rectangular shape
of the rooms. EL suggested that the Closet in the Video Production Room can
be omitted if it becomes one space and the remaining Closet can be moved into
the Storage Area. The Mechanical Closet in Magazine Journalism can also be
moved into the Storage Area. The group agreed to proceed with these changes.
PK noted that in the Board Room a cabinet along the hallway wall and a marker
board along the Broadcast Bay wall should be added.
9. All classrooms and office areas should be prepped for wireless network
connections.
10. DLM will schedule a follow up meeting with the Media Arts group for Acoustic and
Lighting consultants to review the departmental needs.
11. MW took the group on a tour of the InFocus Room to see the floor and overall
layout which is similar to the Broadcast Studio in the new Media Arts building. All
agreed that the floor was attractive and appropriate for the new Studio.
12. AL indicated that the plan revisions will be made and distributed for review within
the next two to three weeks.
END
Prepared by Christopher Ades of Deems Lewis McKinley. Please advise in writing if you feel that any of the
above items are inaccurate.
cc: Attendees
File