Architectural Excellence
The new Long Beach City School District Administration Building is a replacement for the one lost four years ago during Hurricane Sandy. It is located in the same location as the original. The building blends the right mix of architectural, structural, mechanical/electrical features while maintaining strict adherence to budget requirements, as it was funded by FEMA. The building features a storefront entry system, while the main corridor features an 8’ x 26’ clearstory and large windows for natural daylighting, all with insulated glazing, to allow for natural lighting. Factory applied EIFS and lapped fiber cement board siding, full parapet, ceramic tiled toilet rooms and clean, smooth interior finishes in the offices make for ease of maintenance.

Technical Innovation
The LBCSD chose “off-site” construction as the solution to get the District’s Administration fully operational and under one roof as quickly as possible. The “off -site” construction process ensured shorter project schedule, as the whole building had been constructed to ensure precision fit and finish at the plant before being deconstructed for transport.  This process allowed the building to arrive with the exterior finish installed as well as a high level of completion on the interior, reducing site completion time significantly. Being a beachfront community with unstable grounds and new FEMA regulations, a full perimeter foundation with breakaway flood vents set on driven pile was utilized.

Cost Effectiveness
For long-term flexibility and adaptability, the LBCSD Administration Building was designed to meet the critical HVAC requirements of educational space even though it is utilized as administrative offices. The building utilizes roof top air handlers and supplemental cooling systems for IT/Data, all of which are tied into and controlled by a state-of-the-art building controls system. Interior lighting consists of high efficiency, energy saving light fixtures and occupancy sensors. Other energy efficient properties include rigid insulation on the exterior walls and roof and sprayed insulation under the floor providing for a superior building envelope. These features keep operating costs to a minimum.