By Eric Althoff
LOS ANGELES鈥擥eneral contractor Suffolk is hard at work on a new elementary school for the Westmark School, located in the San Fernando Valley community of Encino. The so-called Lower School will focus specifically on students with language-learning difficulties.
The Lower School was designed by NBBJ. The 25,000-square-foot, educational edifice will entail 10 classrooms, a theater, outdoor play areas as well as a centrally situated courtyard. The design incorporates such building materials as tropical hardwood lumber, exposed lumber panels, formed concrete and other sustainable resources. Its structure will employ a cross-laminated timber (CLT) system, which will provide durability in earthquake-prone Southern California.
In a recent news release about the project, Suffolk Los Angeles General Manager Ken Summers said the project will marry innovative construction practices and sustainability.
鈥淎t Suffolk, we are well-equipped to navigate the changing needs of the education system, helping build, renovate and upgrade facilities that will be here to support students and faculty for years to come,鈥� Summers said.
Suffolks, which enjoys annual revenue of $5 billion, also recently completed the 10,000-square-foot Child Development Academic Facility at Pierce College for the Los Angeles Community College District. Engineering News Record has ranked the firm #23 on its list of 鈥淭op 400 Contractors.鈥�
The Lower School is scheduled to be open for the fall.