LAUSD Taft Charter High School Comprehensive Modernization

Project Name

Taft Charter High School Comprehensive Modernization

Size (sq ft)

400,000

HEI Project Profile - Long

Taft Charter High School first opened their doors in 1960 and currently boasts a student enrollment of 2,400. Located on a 32.4 acre site, the campus consists of 16 permanent buildings that were built between 1958 and 1964 and an additional 23 classrooms in relocatable buildings. Due to the age of the buildings, Taft Charter is undergoing a comprehensive modernization to provide the best learning environment for their students. Phase 1 of the modernization project consisted of a campus wide site analysis. The site analysis required detailed review of the building systems in order to determine condition, feasibility of re-use, potential strategies for energy savings, and expansion capabilities, as well as evaluation of existing conditions and modernization scope needed to achieve compliance with LAUSD Design Standards, as deemed appropriate by the design team. Henderson Engineers documented the entire site, building by building, working with LAUSD maintenance and operation's plant managers, and by reviewing campus as-built drawings. The team also reviewed the replacement costs of existing systems versus upgrades to determine the best path forward. Ultimately, through multiple design review sessions with the architect, structural engineer, and cost estimator, the team solidified the cost estimate and programming for phase two of the modernization project. Phase 2 consists of new buildings, seismic retrofits of existing buildings, and renovations of existing and historic buildings. The project also includes new exterior campus spaces and other associated site improvements. When complete, Taft Charter will become a “more safe, healthy, and functional place to learn.” The project is currently active in construction administration for Package 7A, which consists of the upgrades to the site power infrastructure and new electrical service, and is approaching construction administration for all other design packages covering the modernization scope on this campus.

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