Swinerton Archives - �鶹��

New $225 Million Compton High School Redefines Outdated Narratives

Heidi Warstler — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:00:55 +0000

Photo: The new 223,650-square-foot campus is anchored by the 36,000-square-foot gym building at the north and the nearly 41,000-square-foot Performing Arts Center at the south. | Photo Credit (all): DLR Group

By Lindsey Coulter

DLR Group’s design was selected from a field of six submissions in a design competition for the new high school.

Principal Larry Natividad, Ed.D., describes the new $225-million Compton High School as breathtaking, calling it a project that redefines the community. More than that, the sprawling new campus is part of a broader shift in how people think about the city of Compton, Calif., and its residents.

“For too long, perceptions of Compton have been shaped by outdated narratives … that fail to reflect the strength, resilience and brilliance of our community,” Natividad said. “The new Compton High School stands as a bold statement: The future of Compton is bright, innovative and full of promise.”

The beautiful new 223,650-square-foot campus—brought to life by DLR Group, Swinerton Building Company and project management firm Cumming—was featured as the Facility of the Month in the as an example not only of innovative design and construction, but also progress and possibility.

�鶹�� spoke with Natividad to understand how the project has helped to rewrite the community’s narrative and create a renewed sense of pride and hope among students and educators.

SCN: How have students responded to the facility?

The school’s signature color plays a defining role.

Natividad: The response from our scholars has been one of awe, excitement and renewed hope. Many students express that it finally feels like they are in a place that honors who they are and who they have the potential to become. The new Compton High School offers a world-class learning environment that rivals top-tier facilities anywhere in the world, and our scholars are inspired by the message that they are worthy of excellence.

Compton High School is more than just a building; it’s a symbol of what vision, perseverance, and community collaboration can achieve. In this environment, our scholars can flourish, not just academically, but emotionally and socially. We’ve seen a rise in student engagement, pride, and a deeper sense of belonging.

At the same time, this transformation brings a new level of visibility and accountability. Some students have shared that it feels like “all eyes are on us,” and that can be overwhelming. That’s why we are committed to a systems-based approach that ensures timely support, open communication, and inclusive problem-solving so every student feels heard and supported through this transition.

SCN: How has the new facility changed the educator experience?

Natividad: This is not just a change in location. It’s a transformation in how we educate, inspire, and lead. The transition from traditional classrooms to shared learning studios represents a significant mindset shift in public education. These flexible, collaborative spaces are designed to promote innovation and maximize instructional impact. With this shift comes the opportunity and responsibility for educators to rethink how space is used to support student achievement.

As we move forward, we are laser focused on academic results. Our goal is continuous improvement, with targeted outcomes that include increasing our [California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress] and math test scores in the upcoming year. We are also prioritizing growth in science performance, ensuring a well-rounded academic foundation for all students. We are also mindful that our focus is also to support and enhance the educational attainment for our special education scholars, foster and homeless youth, our English language learners.

SCN: What is your favorite aspect of the design?

Natividad: The open-air feel of the building, especially in the Academic Building, where the majority of our learning studios are located. The high ceilings and spacious walkways create an environment that feels expansive, inviting, and modern. The learning studios themselves are designed as just-in-time classrooms, where educators no longer “own” a space individually, but collaborate and share rooms to maximize the building’s capacity and serve more scholars efficiently and effectively.

I also appreciate the thoughtful use of natural lighting. It creates a bright, comfortable atmosphere that encourages breathing room for both thought and creativity. It truly feels like a place built for learning and growth.

The Dr. Dre Performing Arts Center is another standout feature of our campus. With 901 seats, it is designed to host world-class performances and elevate our scholars’ experiences in the arts. Our new gymnasium, which accommodates 903 spectators, marks a major step forward in rebuilding our championship athletic program. Combined with our half Olympic-sized pool, home to our inaugural aquatics program, we are proudly positioning Compton High School to develop scholar-athletes who can become

Olympians, professionals and leaders in the global sports industry.

In addition, our state-of-the-art stadium seats 2,099 spectators and will be the proud home of our Tarbabe football program this fall.

SCN: How does the new campus build a sense of safety and community?

The new instructional building features lecture halls, labs and offices.

Natividad: Safety is our number one priority. A secure and disciplined environment is the foundation of a vibrant learning community; one where scholars can thrive and pursue their futures with confidence. Our campus is equipped with more than163 cameras and state-of-the-art surveillance tools that monitor activity 24/7. This technology allows us to trace movement from multiple angles and investigate potential threats swiftly and effectively.

A safe campus isn’t just about protection; it’s about creating the conditions where students and staff feel supported, valued and empowered to succeed. Our new Compton High School embodies that vision. Through intentional investment in our scholars and facilities, we are building a strong sense of community and belonging. Our students know they deserve the very best educational experience in the world. With access to modern learning studios, student conference rooms, and global connectivity through live-streaming classrooms that reflect real-world industry settings, our scholars are immersed in an environment that boldly tells them that their education matters.

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Cal-State Long Beach Adding 424-Bed Residence Hall as Part of Expansion

School News — Thu, 30 May 2024 11:59:21 +0000

By Eric Althoff

LONG BEACH, Calif.—Ground has broken at Cal State Long Beach for the new La Playa Residence Hall, a 108,000-square-foot student housing project from designer Perkins&Will and constructed by Swinerton. The $115 million project encompasses three five-story buildings surrounded by outdoor amenities such as dining commons, a welcome plaza and a shared lawn. La Playa represents just one piece of the State of California’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program to increase the number of below-rate rental options for on-campus student housing.

Being built by Swinerton at the Hillside Housing village, La Playa Residence Hall will contain 424 beds in various dorm room configurations in single- and double-occupancy student rooms as well as faculty accommodations. The ground floor will offer a kitchen, and every floor will also include study areas and lounges. La Playa will also host a 2,000-square-foot multipurpose room and music practice rooms as well as additional offices for the school’s Counseling and Psychological Services program.

“We expanded on the village feel of the surrounding Hillside Housing community by dividing the project into three structures connected by bridges,” said Yan Krymsky, principal and design director at Perkins&Will’s Los Angeles studio. “This gives the project a more approachable scale and preserves open space on campus.”

David Damon, principal and global higher education practice leader at Perkins&Will, said that his firm’s design aesthetic focused on scale, identity and community.

“Each of these drivers strategically shaped the highly bespoke design concept for La Playa Residence Hall,” he said. “This makes the project truly unique compared to traditionally shaped residence halls. By increasing bed capacity and transforming the student experience, an intentionally informed framework, the University will absolutely differentiate itself when it comes to recruitment and retention.”

La Playa Residence Hall will aim to open for students in time for the fall semester of 2026.

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San Jose Welcomes First Phase of Innovative New Campus

School News — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:38:59 +0000

By Eric Althoff

SAN JOSE, Calif.—The Northern California Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD) has opened the doors of both the Abram Agnew Elementary School and Dolores Huerta Middle School in San Jose. Architecture firm LPA designed both schools, which are both part of a larger effort to create an entire campus for grades K through 12 at one location. The Agnew and Huerta schools represent the first phase in that larger project.

Representatives of LPA, SCUSD and construction manager Swinerton were all present at a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony. Also in attendance were state Senator Bob Wieckowski, whose district includes the campus, as well activist Dolores Huerta, for whom the middle school is named.

“These schools are many years in the making, and we are honored to have collaborated with the district and Swinerton, our construction partner, to bring them to life,” David Eaves, studio director at LPA, said at the ribbon-cutting. “The campus will support the academic and social growth of students for generations.”

Added Huerta: “I know what all of us are thinking: I wish I could’ve gone to this school.”

Also speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony was SCUSD Superintendent Dr. Stella M. Kemp, who said that the upgraded classrooms will “rival those of our neighbors in Silicon Valley.”

Students at the new schools will learn in an environment “where people collaborate, develop solutions to real-world problems…and develop the mindset and skills to be resilient and future leaders in our community,” Kemp said.

The 55-acre campus site will also include the to-be-built Kathleen MacDonald High School, which is anticipated to open for students in the fall of 2022.

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California High School Unveils Energy-Efficient Innovation Hub

School News — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:25:36 +0000

By SCN Staff

CUPERTINO, Calif.—A grand opening event was held recently at Homestead High School (HHS) in the Fremont Union High School District (FUHSD) to unveil its new 25,000-square-foot Innovation Hub, which provides central and collaborative spaces for programs including visual arts, business, computer science, robotics and shop to serve the school’s more than 2,000 students.

The new facility was designed by Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) and built by Swinerton. Blach Construction (Blach) serves as the construction manager for FUHSD’s school facilities improvement program. Designed to meet Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) criteria, the project team utilized solutions such as daylighting and sun-control, energy efficient building systems and sustainable materials. The project was delivered under budget, providing six percent total cost savings during the course of construction.

“The Innovation Hub gives us the opportunity to better serve our students with a progressive and functional space spanning multiple disciplines,” said FUHSD Superintendent Polly Bove. “I know our students and staff have only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible within this building and we look forward to the creativity and collaboration that will occur here. We thank the project team for their dedication, who have helped us create a facility that will be enjoyed by Homestead students for years to come.”

HHS’s Innovation Hub replaces a previously underutilized shop building with a new building that consolidates various programs from across the campus in a central location. Classroom, lab and shop spaces are organized around a flexible hub, providing collaboration and presentation spaces for students and faculty. Additionally, the Innovation Hub creates a new point of entry to the campus and athletic fields, creating a welcoming face for the school along busy Homestead Road. The new building is connected to the rest of the campus through a plaza used for outdoor learning, studying and socializing.

Also designed by QKA, FUHSD broke ground this summer on HHS’s new Guidance and Student Services (GSS) Building. The 9,500 square-foot building is expected to complete next fall and will provide improved administration offices, staff rooms, counseling offices and a College and Career Center. Built by Lathrop Construction, the visible building adds to the school’s vision for a welcoming and secure entry.

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