• Slide 1
• Slide 2
• Slide 3

Next Prev

Francis Parker School - Photo: Paul Hester and Hewitt/Garrison Photography

Francis Parker School - Photo Credit: Paul Hester and Hewitt/Garrison Photography

Francis Parker School - Photo: Paul Hester and Hewitt/Garrison Photography

Francis Parker School

The new Francis Parker Middle and Upper School, accommodating 800 students, creates an environmentally responsible atmosphere for learning that centers on the student experience. Located atop a mesa overlooking San Diego’s Mission Valley, Francis Parker School connects to the outdoors, responds well to the climate and embraces the school’s educational environment of learning outside the classroom. The new design creates 60,000 square feet of academic space with 32 classrooms, 11 laboratories and a library.

The school promotes a healthy learning environment through balanced daylight, natural ventilation, engineered acoustics, efficient building systems and sustainable materials. The jurors praised the school’s connection to the outside, as the project provided well-defined circulation within an elegant site design. By combining synergistic programs in single spaces and pushing all circulation and locker storage outdoors, the design team was able to “right size” the campus, which contributed to a 40 percent reduction in energy usage as compared to a typical school. All teaching spaces have access to daylight, natural ventilation and high performance acoustics creating an all around pleasant learning environment. The building beats Title 24 by 33.7 percent.

Additionally, the jurors noted the school’s comprehensive irrigation plan that reduces water usage significantly. All storm water is managed onsite and irrigation is reduced by four million gallons annually from a recycled, synthetic turf field, a native/adapted plant program and a water-saving irrigation plan. Several acres of hillside habitat were restored on the campus during the development process.

Notable Accomplishments

• The building beats Title 24 by 33.7 percent.

Image Gallery

return to top