Project Description

Santa Monica High School (Samohi)’s Discovery Building houses 260,000 s.f. of varied programs. A new campus landmark, it comprises 5 levels plus roof garden. Focused on courtyard with cascading bleachers, this ‘loft’ building has a flexible column grid; raised floor system; and non-bearing walls for easy reconfiguration. Sustainable features include photovoltaic and solar thermal arrays and a ‘living’ green wall. Classrooms have operable glass walls linked to commons. Overhead doors at communal facilities seamlessly connect interior and exterior. A contemporary take on Samohi’s original Modern style, the building has deep-set windows in simple, curved cement plaster planes. John Dale was Principal-in-Charge with HED (Architect of Record) in association with Moore Ruble Yudell Architects and Planners.

Awards and Exhibitions

• Los Angeles Business Council 52nd Annual Architectural Awards
• Honorable Mention, Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Awards
• Honor Award Westside Urban Forum
• A4LE Planning & Design Award, Juror’s Choice Award
• ENR Southern California Region Best K-12 Education Project
• Green California Schools Summit Leadership Award
• Southern California Development Forum Design Awards (unbuilt category)
• San Fernando AIA Design Awards Citation