Summer is in the air... Or is that construction I smell?

Summer School Construction:

I’m not so old that I don’t fondly remember my childhood summers–a relaxing time off from the hustle of school work and related responsibilities and an opportunity to partake in the beautiful outdoors, good friendly fun and family events… but those summers are now just a figment of my imagination. As an architect focused on educational environments, summer time is one of the busiest times of the year. Our education clients take full advantage of the 10 weeks or so when students aren’t in session, turning their campus into a moonscape of sorts, and transforming their facilities before the students return in mid-August.

 

This summer, Williams + Paddon had a number of learning environment projects in construction:

 

Bannon Creek Elementary School, Sacramento:

Began the first major phase of its conversion to a K-8 campus.
 

 

Parsons Middle School, Redding:

Began its first phase to completing a beautiful performing arts complex, plaza and sports courts.

  

California State University, Chico:

Completed its streetscape improvements along First Street and the University’s newest parking garage structure, along with a significant effort towards completing the new University Police and Information Facilities building.

  

San Juan High School, Citrus Heights:

Nearly complete with the last of seven transformative projects—the improvements to its performing arts center.

 

St. Clare, Roseville:

Began the construction of site improvements and a new classroom wing.

 

Marysville Unified School District, Marysville:  

Completed a number of small projects in campuses at the north end of the District.

 

It was also evident to me while traveling from our headquarters in Roseville to Chico, Redding, Fresno, Truckee, and across the Sacramento region this year, that education is alive and well in California. Despite economic issues and budget woes, School Districts and Universities are working hard to improve their amenities. Many of these projects are glorious examples of 21^st Century Learning and Career Technical Education—a paradigm shift in the way we deliver education. Because they are new concepts, they are often not easy to implement, given aging infrastructure and hazardous materials.
 

Certainly, this time of year means unforeseen conditions, hectic schedules and mountains of paperwork… but at the end of the summer, we can say we’ve contributed a tremendous amount of lasting, physical work that factors into the future success of our students. It was a pleasure to see the reaction of students, parents and teachers returning from their time off to a new campus or new facility—their own hard work is rewarded with architectural design that will positively transform their lives.
 

This is a time to reflect on the difference that state and local bond funding makes in our educational environments, and the vital role we, as tax payers, play in the success of these measures. Many public school entities will be seeking local bond measures this November. So get out, vote, and show your support for public school construction in California!