Zoning & Space Planning

• Assess your school's floor plan to support social distancing guidelines
• Reprogram space to focus on utilization based on learning activities and smaller group sizes
• Put wellness and safety front and center

Technology

• Evaluate potential space utilization technologies to assess space occupancy
• Assess the implementation of technology tools to increase virtual meeting needs
• Consider touch-less technologies for entry points, security, and access to your space

Case & Point - SMMUSD Discovery

The multi-use Discovery building at Santa Monica-Malibu USD stresses long and short-term flexibility and the potential for adaptive use. While the $133 million Discovery Building is planned to open for the fall 2021 semester, it is already receiving attention for its flexible design, which meets both the specific short-term pandemic imposed needs while creating a dynamic facility that will meet the needs of the District for decades to come.

While the HED and Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners did not initially anticipate that pandemic proofing a classroom would become one of those needs, the design team reimagined how the building could accommodate socially distant, outdoor, and hybrid education models.

The building is designed with a flexible, open-column grid, raised floors, and non load bearing walls, which means the layout can be resigned over time.

“We have been able to demonstrate, within the context of the pandemic, that the new building can flex to accommodate social distancing and linear circulation to enhance safety. Classes can spread apart by taking advantage of the connections between classrooms and the common areas adjacent through folding glass doors,” said HED Principal John Dale.