ENCINITAS — The Grauer School celebrated groundbreaking Aug. 23, for Phase III of campus construction that will become the updated home to 10,000 square feet of eco-friendly classrooms, including new spaces for the English and Mathematics departments.
The School is a small school by design, with approximately 150 students, so the update is not an expansion; rather, it is a conversion of temporary facilities into permanent structures. The Loewy Family Foundation has already funded the Loewy-Linz Innovation Lab, which will house school’s FTC robotics team, Shockwave Robotics.
Architect Scott Thomas of Zagrodnik and Thomas Architects intends to incorporating green elements as well as special features into the campus. “We are planning for LEED Gold certification. Specifically, we hope to include solar panels, recycled materials, and energy efficient lighting and mechanical systems. The new buildings will include 13 new classrooms, including four seminar rooms and new restrooms and locker rooms. Outdoor elements include a water element in a new central courtyard, a gazebo gathering space, and a new entry trellis/arbor to help identify the main entry to the campus.”
San Diego-based Pacific Building Group is providing preconstruction and general contracting services. This summer, it took the initial steps of assisting with the relocation of the existing portable, temporary classroom structures to school’s field, so classes can remain in session throughout the construction of the new permanent facilities.
The anticipated completion date is Spring 2015. The school’s community of current and alumni families has internally fundraised over $2.35M. The $4M project will be funded by a combination of naming opportunities, internal and short-term financing, or gifts.
