BCA Architects Selected to Design New 400-Seat Performing Arts Center for Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

SANTA MARIA, Calif., June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- After a comprehensive selection process, BCA Architects was selected to design the new 400-seat performing arts center for Pioneer Valley High School. The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District administration prepared a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit architectural services for the planning and construction of the performing arts center at Pioneer Valley High School. Letters and RFQs went to 165 firms requesting proposals. Proposals came in from 19 firms and a committee of five reviewed and narrowed them down to six firms who were interviewed for consideration.

Ultimately, two firms were selected by the committee for a second round of interviews that included a member of the Board of Education. The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District administration recommended BCA Architects as the firm to contract with to design the performing arts center. The Board of Trustees ratified this decision in their regular meeting on June 20, 2012.

"After an extensive interview process, we are thrilled with our decision to select BCA Architects as our district architects for the design of the new 400-seat Performing Arts Center at Pioneer Valley High School. It was clear to us that BCA Architects emerged from the pack as the most qualified architectural firm to design our new Performing Arts Center -- I have absolute confidence that they will create an outstanding performing arts center for our students and community," said Doug Kimberly, Superintendent of Schools, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District.

Situated on 53.5 acres of land, Pioneer Valley High School is one of the district's largest high schools. The Performing Arts Center will be the newest addition to the school's facilities which include six full computer labs, a college and career center, library, cafeteria and multipurpose facility with indoor and outdoor seating, and an outdoor amphitheater.

"We are excited about this challenge and look forward to designing a performing arts center that is imaginative and rooted in the community's traditions and mission of the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District," said Paul Bunton, AIA, president of BCA Architects.

BCA Architects is recognized for its educational facilities, including its performing arts centers. Last year, ABC San Diego presented BCA Architects with an Award of Excellence for its performing arts facility at Chula Vista High School, which is a part of a two phase project including a library that is seeking LEED Platinum certification, the highest level for energy design.

"The BCA team looks forward to planning the district's new performing arts center with a focus on arts instruction as well as live events for the campus and local community," stated Steve Pollock, vice president, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, a leading theater, media facilities, and lighting consulting firm working with BCA Architects on the project. "The design will be student-friendly, relevant, and turn-key without the need for additional staffing by the district."

Construction of the performing arts center will begin in 2013.

BCA Architects partners with clients on a mission to achieve excellence in design. Since 1989, BCA strives to strengthen communities through projects to: design facilities, help define partnerships, locate financing, and save energy or present alternate delivery methods. BCA goes above and beyond the task at hand to ensure their clients succeed. Visit: http://www.bcaarchitects.com.

Media Contact: Rachel Del Fierro (925) 785-1435 or [email protected]

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SOURCE BCA Architects