Windsor Unified School District was awarded a CTE grant in the category of Arts, Media and Entertainment for the Digital Media and Design Academy at Windsor High School. Building on an existing and growing patchwork of developing technologies, the team collaborated to design a facility that realizes the vision for this comprehensive state of the art program while meeting grant budget constraints within the context of the campus.

Classrooms have integrated digital AV technology, a raised floor system to accommodate cabling requirements and a dedicated server room with redundant cooling and emergency power. Window to the server room provide students in networking and computer repair a view of an operational system.  Classrooms have computer stations enhanced with dedicated lecture areas so technical skills can develop side-by-side with theoretical studies and collaborative learning. The layout of each room’s equipment and furniture was coordinated to provide flexibility for the various teaching & learning styles. Several rooms have extraordinary programmatic needs including a video production studio, control room and state of the art recording booths designed with sound attenuation walls, doors and windows and a mechanical system featuring an NC-15, ‘theater quiet’ rating.

The project was designed to meet stringent high performance standards, featuring a reduced footprint, 2-story solution with easy access to public transportation. Other features include a reclaimed ‘grey’ water system, renewable energy using a photo-voltaic array installed on a cool roof system; an energy efficient envelope and improved acoustical performance; classroom scene-lighting and the use of low-VOC and renewable materials.