Kim Coleman @ USC

Project Intent Danielle Gratiot
The first feature that caught my attention about this site was the view of Downtown Los Angeles. This view was unique to any of the other sites picked by LAUSD for Primary Centers, and because of this there needed to be a connection for the school to all of the culture that exists downtown. The paving and outdoor amphitheater make a direct visual connection that will draw the childern's eyes up to downtown. When one enters the space of the school they are then focused to an outward view of the city center. There also needed to be a secure area for the children. This was achieved by moving all of the classrooms, including the kindergarten, up to the second floor. The remaining administration areas, library, dining hall, and play areas were built on the ground floor.

Co-Use Program
Because there was no place in the surrounding area where children and adults could have an outlet for theater or dance, a black box theater seemed to be an interesting way to activate community involvement with the school. The school can use the theater, dance studios, and practice room during the day, and the community can do so at night and on weekends. The theater would also allow for the children to be taught from a young age different ways to express their emotions, which can be helpful for their future by enhancing their ability to interact with others.

kcoleman@usc.edu
Kim Coleman Associate Professor, University of Southern California School of Architecture
Project Intent Danielle Gratiot The first feature that caught my attention about this site was the view of Downtown Los Angeles. This view was unique to any of the other sites picked by LAUSD for Primary Centers, and because of this there needed to be a connection for the school to all of the culture that exists downtown. The paving and outdoor amphitheater make a direct visual connection that will draw the childern's eyes up to downtown. When one enters the space of the school they are then focused to an outward view of the city center. There also needed to be a secure area for the children. This was achieved by moving all of the classrooms, including the kindergarten, up to the second floor. The remaining administration areas, library, dining hall, and play areas were built on the ground floor. Co-Use Program Because there was no place in the surrounding area where children and adults could have an outlet for theater or dance, a black box theater seemed to be an interesting way to activate community involvement with the school. The school can use the theater, dance studios, and practice room during the day, and the community can do so at night and on weekends. The theater would also allow for the children to be taught from a young age different ways to express their emotions, which can be helpful for their future by enhancing their ability to interact with others.	LAUSD - SITE G1 Olympic & Blaine (Primary Center)
SITE G: (1) (2) (3)	all project sites home