Del Mar Heights School, with high public and community interest, is the replacement of an existing K-6 elementary school within an established neighborhood of families and students serving several generations. DLR Group’s collaborative design process fully engaged the community in the planning and design of the new facility to ensure it meets the needs of future learners. The project capitalizes on expansive scenic ocean views, the surrounding Torrey Pines Environmental Preserve and its coastal environment, while maximizing a forward-thinking pedagogy and curriculum. Learning villages group by grade level, collaborative spaces, and indoor/outdoor experiences engage students in purposeful learning matched to their individual learning styles. Each learning village provides a visual connection to the coastline and nature preserve.

The project includes the building of a 69,000 SF campus over a 10.5-acre site. More than 150 invested community members took part in the planning and design of the school, including district school site administrators, instructional leaders, parents, community members, and business and civic leaders. The architecture builds on the design theme of California Coastal Architecture. Simple shed-roofed, open structures are accessed along the campus boardwalk lined with beach sand and coastal grasses to mimic the water’s edge. The site is terraced along its natural topography, allowing a natural transition to the site edge overlooking its expansive ocean view. DLR Group provided architecture, interiors, and planning services.

Design: DLR Group
Photography: Costea Photography, Inc. and DLR Group