Monterey High School Science Innovation Center

Strategically sited to leverage Monterey Bay’s stunning vistas, the new two-story, 12,500 SF campus addition integrates outdoor plazas at both the top and bottom of the steep site, offering outdoor learning spaces throughout. Despite its modest size, the addition significantly impacts the gathering and circulation spaces, introducing ramps and an interior elevator to navigate the steep grades. Furthermore, the building is uniquely perched to create commanding views over the football fields and ocean, creating a striking presence. The first floor seamlessly opens to outdoor plazas on either side through large folding doors, transforming into an indoor-outdoor community space for school events, while functioning as a classroom on regular school days. Beyond the primary goal of adding four classrooms, the project contributes new outdoor and gathering spaces, enhanced security boundaries, accessible site circulation, a community gathering space, and even a skybox overlooking the stadium. Emphasizing durability, the exterior features fiber cement panels, concrete, and large windows. Windows are thoughtfully organized in clusters, providing diffuse natural light to the majority of the north-oriented classrooms. The design received appreciation from MPUSD leadership, led by Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh, who supported the team's innovative thinking. Notably, the project evolved from the initial idea of adding a building at the rear of the campus to a comprehensive solution addressing broader campus planning challenges. The proposal to demolish a small single classroom building further garnered support from the school district, leading to the successful realization of the project. Principal Tom Newton's advocacy for CAW Architects' work adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the accomplishment.

Silver Creek High School

For Silver Creek High School, CAW added a new feature building on the street corner, and a new front entrance to the campus. This building enhances both the architectural experience and the student experience. The building is sited so that the street-facing sides are more solid, with a playful pattern of windows and perforated sun shading to form the campus edge. The campus facing side features a forty-foot-wide sliding door that opens the building atrium to the new plaza for indoor-outdoor teaching and events. The central two-story atrium serves as a student hangout space with a mix of large open gathering areas and small balcony perches. The central feature stair makes a gracious connection between the floors, and is also the focal point of the atrium. All ten classrooms face the atrium and have large garage doors that open the classrooms to the atrium. The clearstory windows ringing the atrium bring natural light deep into the building, and also cut direct glare. In addition to the new classrooms, the project added numerous indoor and outdoor casual spaces for students and improved the security at the edges of the campus.

Corte Madera School

CAW Architects’ new designs for the state-of-the-art Corte Madera School span two acres and feature two new buildings totaling 20,545 SF. Fully upgraded, energy-efficient systems throughout greatly reduce the district’s environmental footprint, putting the school on track for LEED silver certification. Per its mission, the school fosters flexible learning environments, encouraging students to experiment, collaborate, and thrive. New facilities include art, science, and classroom spaces, a dedicated “STEAM Center,” an outdoor deck/classroom overlooking the town’s “frog pond,” a student-designed playground with play structure, and an amphitheater with stage. One of the key highlights is the new building on the 4th/5th grade side of campus that backs up to the open space known as the “frog pond”, which is maintained by the larger community. The building is divided into two parts with a “breezeway” and deck/balcony between them. A ramp leads down to a learning area at the level of the pond that provides a perfectly framed view from the lunch area. On the 6-8th grade side of campus, the new building was oriented to highlight a spectacular view of the peak of Windy Hill, the mountain for which the nearby open space preserve is named. Inside, the classrooms are organized around a central atrium, where students view the peak through the full height of a 26’ curtain wall window system.

Ormondale Elementary School

The new Ormondale Elementary campus promotes sustainability and dynamic learning. Spanning 8,891 SF, it features modern classrooms for art, music, science, and a “STEAM Lab” framed by a renovated courtyard that has been transformed into an interactive “sensory garden,” where the scents and colors of surrounding flowers and fruit trees activate the senses. Strategically sited buildings maximize natural light and views, creating a serene environment for K-3 students. Energy-efficient systems and solar design aim for LEED Silver certification, blending innovation with sustainability to foster a thriving learning space.