BURBANK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

In 2001, the City of Hayward completed its master plan to transform an old cannery area into a new district of high density residential developments. A new combined school / park is at the center of this master plan, necessitating the relocation and reconstruction of the existing Burbank Elementary School a few blocks away.

The project is unique in many ways. The client includes 3 public agencies: the City of Hayward, Hayward Unified School District and Hayward Area Recreation District. Abatement of contaminated underground soil materials took place prior to construction, qualifying the project as a brownfield redevelopment. Complicated coordination of street realignment, utility relocation, construction phasing and demolition of the old school were all required as part of the planning process. The two-story school is laid out in an L-shape plan, with the main spaces – administration, library and multi-purpose room – placed at the bend. The centralized location of key facilities offers close proximity to all classrooms as well as allows public access for after-hours use. Dedicated stairways are provided for kindergarten through second graders who use the second floor classrooms, as required by code. The project was designed with a mission Spanish theme, reflecting the client’s preference for architectural style of the entire development. Massing and detailing are kept simple, consistent with this rather informal and accessible style. Materials consist of clay roof tiles, plaster walls, decorative ceramic tiles and exposed wood structural members and trim. Sustainable design elements include site selection, community connectivity, brownfield redevelopment, maximizing open space and building system commissioning.