Long Beach International Elementary School
Long Beach, Calif.
Thomas Blurock Architects

An Elementary School Finds Room for a Play Area on its Roof

© Milroy & McAleer

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This 34-classroom school sits on a former parking lot in downtown Long Beach. The constraints of the small site and the educational program challenged traditional notions about elementary schools. The architects’ solution maximizes play area, addresses security concerns, and responds to surrounding urban and residential neighborhoods.

The school consists of two buildings: a one-story concrete structure housing K-2 classrooms, administration offices, library, multipurpose area, kitchen and secured parking; and a three-story, steel-framed classroom building for grades 3-5. The roof of the concrete structure serves as the school’s playfield, contained by a perimeter enclosure twelve feet above grade. To avoid a prison-yard look, the fence was expanded into a sheltered enclosure, including bleachers and a perforated aluminum shade screen supported by a playful steel tube structure.

Formal name of building:
Long Beach International Elementary School

Location:
Long Beach, CA

Gross square footage:
79,605 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$15 Million

Owner:
Long Beach Unified School District

Architect's firm:
Thomas Blurock Architects
720 West 17th Street, Unit C
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: 949-646-9373
Fax: 949-650-1262