LAUSD New Media Academies

Client: Los Angeles Unified School District

Scope: Modernization/Adaptive Reuse

Size: Varied - Multiple Projects

Completion: 2002-2003

Project Manager: Richard Berliner, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, ALEP

Berliner Architects worked with LAUSD and WorkForceLA on the creation of their New Media Academies, providing space for students to learn TV production, sound recording, 3D animation and a variety of other media related skills. The New Media Academies were completed on 7 LAUSD campuses. These converted auto, metal, and print shops into make spaces for the 21st century. Berliner Architects was recognized for  its work in the LAUSD New Media Academies by the Los Angeles Board of Education and the State of California Senate and received a DesignShare Citation Award for Innovative Schools. 

At Cleveland High School an existing print and metal shop of approximately 8,500 SF was renovated for use as a Regional Occupational Center and New Media Academy. The space includes areas for instruction in new media technologies, including 3D visualization, Graphic Design, and Web Site Design. A new state-of-the-art television production studio is also included in the program, which will provide recording, editing and production facilities for the students. The design includes the addition of a 3,000 SF seismically isolated mezzanine for teacher offices, additional meeting space, work stations and a new elevator. The design concept creates spaces similar to those of professional creative production studios to better prepare students for future employment in a contemporary work environment.