The community-based Steering Committee and the Merced Union High School District Administration collaborated on the design of the project. Designed by BCA Architects, the design of the new high school fulfills the objectives of the Board of Trustees by providing students with a quality learning environment.
The main objective of the design was student safety which is evident in the design of several buildings on campus such as the gymnasiums, the performing arts center, cafeteria and the library that each are sited to allow after-hours access by the public while maintaining security in the quadrangle.
During the course of the design, the Merced Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team reviewed BCA’s design and offered suggestions. These collaborative efforts even inspired a change in the design from interior corridors to exterior corridors so school administrators would be able to aid the Merced SWAT team in case of an unfortunate event.
El Capitan High School was designed primarily as a two-storey campus with interconnected buildings that wrap around a large central landscaped quadrangle and provide visual supervision. The sweeping curve of the main educational building is reflective of Fehrens Creek that runs directly behind the new high school.
The final design of the school is tailored to the needs of teachers, students, administrators and staff. The school building is being built with durable products and materials such as masonry, steel, and energy-efficient mechanical equipment. It can accommodate 2000 students.
