Platt/Whitelaw Architects, Inc. has provided comprehensive architectural services for the design and construction of a new elementary school serving the Logan Heights area of southeast San Diego.

Laura Rodriguez Elementary opened in the Fall of 2007 and has a capacity of 650 to 700 students. The facility includes 32 classrooms, administration facilities, 4,891 square foot library, multi-purpose building with proscenium stage, covered lunch court, playgrounds for a variety of age levels, and turfed joint use playing field. The building area totals 55,000 square feet.

The campus occupies a small urban site. Its steep slopes and easements necessitated provision of multi-story classroom buildings. Extensive site improvements were made to satisfy access requirements.

In addition to housing the usual functions of an elementary school, the campus hosts a six-to-six extended care program in its specially-adapted media center, and a pre-school day care program in one of its Kindergarten classrooms.

The design incorporates the best practices of the Collaborative for High Performance Schools, including sustainable design, energy conservation, natural ventilation, day-lighting, and acoustical control.

The school’s construction was delivered using the Construction Manager/Multi-Prime method.