Sweetwater Union High School Leading the Way in Green School Building
By: Hon. John McCann, President, Board of Trustees and Dr. Edward M. Brand, Superintendent
November 2011
New Awards at 2011 CEFPI Annual Conference
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Council of Educational Facility Planners International (CEFPI) presented two new awards, the CEFPI Fellowship Award and the Industry Partner Award, at its 88th Annual World Conference & Expo in Nashville, Tenn., at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.
Lounge Seating
Kimball Office’s Villa lounge seating line now includes the Privacy Back, ideal for public and private areas in health care and educational facilities. The new Privacy Back is designed for flexibility to create free-form lounge configurations of any size. It allows facility managers and designers to divide space into separate brainstorming, meeting, or social spaces for more efficiency.
DLR to Modernize $150 Million High School
LOS ANGELES — Design firm DLR Group won a conceptual design competition with a unanimous vote by the judges to modernize Beverly Hills High School at an estimated cost of $150 million.
The firm beat out three other finalists for the contract to design the iconic high school, a part of the Beverly Hills Unified School District. The design team included architects from DLR’s Los Angeles, Seattle and Orlando offices.
Audio System
The TOPCAT Classroom Audio System by Lightspeed improves the learning environment by distributing quality sound so that students can hear every word clearly. The all-in-one unit weighs 22 pounds and measures 23.43 inches by 23.43 inches by 4 inches. It can be mounted on the ceiling grid to preserve the architectural design of the classroom. The TOPCAT system package includes two small, lightweight REDMIKE VC microphones for both teacher and student use. It also features a wireless Media Connector Module that enhances instruction by integrating all classroom audio for distribution.
Wire Management
Legrand released the Wiremold Evolution Series Floor Box, offering high capacity for communication, audio and video power. Designed for various types of flooring, the Evolution series is available in 6-gang, 8-gang, and 10-gang configurations for standard, on-grade and fire-classified applications. Each floor box cover features an egress door system that locks into position when the box is open but automatically closes around cables when the cover is shut. The cover swings open 180 degrees to provide easier access and guard against damage or trip hazards, according to the company.
Wireless Tablet
The new Wireless Tablet Interface by Califone International Inc. provides flexibility and creativity for computer-based presentations. The model enables wireless operation from up to 50 feet away from the computer, allowing the user to move throughout the classroom and still control the computer’s desktop and presentation-related functions. With its Windows-only operating system, the tablet interface provides 18 available channels, for use in classrooms containing multiple, independent learning-based groups.
Andy Tandon
Turner Construction Co. chose Andy Tandon to represent the firm’s interiors division as manager. Tandon is expected to lead the division by delivering consistent, timely and cost-effective construction management and general contracting services to local clients. Since joining Turner in 1996, Tandon has been a key member of the operations staff. A Houston native, he has a history of working on large and small Houston-area projects, including extensive tenant finish work.