Company:

LPA, Inc.

Status:

Awarded

Awarded:

Sustainable Project of the Year

Additional Files

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Additional Information

Newport Beach Learning Center

Project Location:

1533 Monrovia Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Project Description:

The new interdisciplinary Newport Beach Learning Center, located on Monrovia Avenue in the City of Newport Beach, California, provides a total of approximately 66,800 gross -sq.-ft., as well as hardscape and landscape. The project includes construction of a 260 spaces of on-site parking lot directly adjacent to the structure.  Key sustainable features, such as storm water management, natural ventilation, green roofs, photovoltaic roofs, living walls, maximized daylight and views of the ocean, are highlighted to for LEED Platinum rating.

Project Justification:

The challenge for the Learning Center was to figure out how to take the existing educational space previously spread over 10.5 acres and fit the program onto the new 3.9 acres site.  The solution was to go vertical.  The final design offsets the classroom blocks, creating a landscaped roof which functions as the campus quad.  The center supports a very diverse set of programs ranging from adult education to science labs and a community art gallery.  The naturally ventilated central atrium provides the main social space which compliments the more structured interior classroom spaces.  Built by the coast, the roof garden quad affords magnificent views while integrating the site and building together with the local climate.  The learning center maximizes natural daylight, solar energy and natural ventilation.  In fact, the building is unique in that the cooling and ventilation systems only use outdoor air for cooling, utilizing the conditions of the coastal climate.  The center is on track to receive LEED Platinum Certification from USGBC.

Special Circumstances:

This is the first fully integrated LPA project that incorporates Architectural and Engineering all in-house. The process of using BIM consisted of both design and coordination for architects and engineers. The BIM process started early on in the schematic design phase. The software used was Revit Architecture, Revit Structure and Revit MEP. Due to the nature of the exposed cast in place building structure, an integrated design approach was needed for this project. The designers worked in both Revit Architecture and Revit Structure to make sure the design intent was seen throughout the project. The building utilities were all placed and coordinated in tight concealed areas. BIM helped coordinate this effort by utilizing Navisworks for clash detection. A big advantage to utilizing BIM on this project was a way to communicate to both the users and contractors where all the utilities were located.

Project Attachments:

Sustainable Features for this Project
The Learning Center incorporates many sustainable design features that enhance the experience of learning. 

Transportation
• Close proximity to public transportation provides students, faculty, staff and visitors access to alternative transportation.
• 5 % of parking spaces are designated for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles.
• 5% of total parking spaces are designated for carpools and van pools and located in preferred areas.

Stormwater
• Storm water management plan promotes capture, infiltration and treatment of storm water runoff. 
• 100% of the storm water will be captured by the roof and vegetated roof, directed to bioswales and stored in CudoCube underground systems until it percolates into the native soils beneath the parking area.
• There are 2 reservoirs that have 1650 CudoCubes each.

Water Efficiency
• Native and adaptive plants reduce irrigation needs by 50% and create self-sustaining landscape.  Required irrigation zones use high-efficiency equipment and climate based controllers to minimize water usage.
• Low-flow plumbing fixtures and automated controls reduce the water usage by 30% in the building.

Energy and Atmosphere
• Energy efficiency is optimized by the building mass and orientation, materials, construction methods and building envelope.
• The building will perform with 33% less energy than required by the state.
• Lighting and HVAC systems are designed to provide occupants control of their individual space reducing waste of lighting and HVAC energy.

Materials and Resources

• 75% of the construction materials used for the project were recycled and diverted away from landfills.
• 20% of construction materials have high recycled content, reducing the impact on extraction and processing of virgin materials.
• 20% of construction materials were extracted, harvested and manufactured locally, within 500 miles from the project site.
• 50% of the new wood materials used in the project are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Indoor Environmental Quality
   
• Facility meets ASHRAE Standard 62.1 requirements and is a non-smoking building.
• Naturally ventilated atrium saves energy and allows cool ocean breezes to flow through the space and exceed state ventilation requirements.

Award Citation::

This needs to be finalized by our marketing department.

Suggested Award Summary:

The new interdisciplinary Newport Beach Center is located on Monrovia Avenue in the City of Newport Beach, California. It provides a total of approximately 66,800 gross -sq.-ft., as well as hardscape and landscape. The project includes construction of 260 spaces of on-site parking lot directly adjacent to the structure. 

The challenge for the Newport Beach Center was to figure out how to take the existing educational space previously spread over 10.5 acres and fit the program onto the new 3.9 acres site.  The solution was to go vertical.  The final design offsets the classroom blocks, creating a landscaped roof which functions as the campus quad.  The center supports a very diverse set of programs ranging from adult education to science labs and a community art gallery.  The naturally ventilated central atrium provides the main social space which compliments the more structured interior classroom spaces.  Built by the coast, the roof garden quad affords magnificent views while integrating the site and building together with the local climate.  The learning center maximizes natural daylight, solar energy and natural ventilation.  In fact, the building is unique in that the cooling and ventilation systems only use outdoor air for cooling, utilizing the conditions of the coastal climate. The center is on track to receive LEED Platinum Certification from USGBC.