Rio Del Norte School
Oxnard, Calif.
Dougherty + Dougherty Architects

Collaborative process results in a sensitively designed school with an eye to the future

© Milroy McAleer

For more photos click on 'photos & drawings' above. To see the people and products behind this project click on 'people & products.'

The first new school built locally in over 35 years, Rio Del Norte School realized that critical to their success was the inclusion of the community in the planning process. Through a series of workshops with community representatives, a number of distinct goals were established that served as the basis for design.

Classrooms have been designed to cluster around "tech" centers that encourage interaction, team projects, and group learning. Each cluster is linked to an outdoor classroom space that allows the teacher to take the students out of their traditional setting.

The warm grays and distinctive sloping roofs of the exterior of the school are articulated to reflect the residential scale and style of the surrounding architecture. Once inside the central courtyard, over-scaled elements, bright colors, and energetic shapes reinforce the philosophy that this is a place meant to challenge, engage, and reflect optimism.

Sustainable features include natural day lighting and ventilation in all spaces, energy efficient lighting and mechanical equipment, energy conserving glazing, toxin-free insulation and casework materials, ceiling fans to reduce energy consumption, recycled content in a broad array of materials, and much more. Technology is evident everywhere, including multimedia, computers, and video access. Cabling can be modified with ease, building elements move, all to ensure that today’s investment is extended far into the future.

The success of this project is measured in the eyes of the community—planned to house 650 students and expected to open with less than 500, Rio Del Norte opened this fall with nearly 750 students.

Formal name of Project:
Rio Del Norte School

Location:
Oxnard, Calif.

Gross square footage:
46,000 sq. ft.

Total construction cost:
$7.3 million

Owner:
Rio School District

Architect:
Dougherty + Dougherty Architects LLP
3194-D Airport Loop Drive
Costa Mesa, California 92626
714-427-0277
714-427-0288 (FAX)