Revamped campus in the works at Viewpoint

Viewpoint School in Calabasas and Jeffrey M. Kalban & Associates Architecture of West Los Angeles have spent the past four years collaborating on a master plan for the redesign of the 25-acre campus at 23620 Mulholland Highway to "enhance its natural canyon environment while providing the highest quality educational experience for its more than 1,100 students," according to a representative of the architectural firm.

The estimated $10 million Cornerstone Project has begun construction on the first phase of the plan that will give each of the school’s four divisions (primary, lower, middle and upper schools) "distinct geographic identities on the property."

Viewpoint added 17 acres adjacent to its 7 ½-acre campus in 1999.

The new plan and design are based on Viewpoint’s environment and "strives to delicately place new structures in a restored natural setting" while minimizing disruption to the functioning of the school in the process.

Construction of the first phase will take about 15 months. Two subsequent phases, planned for completion over the next 10 to 12 years, will involve classrooms at all grade levels, a library and sports and athletic facilities.

A "team effort of architecture, engineering and environmental expertise" working in conjunction with the school and community was required to produce the plan. It includes protected zones for streams, a 100-year flood plain, preservation for more than 500 oak trees and fire and life safety that necessitates a 20-foot-wide road with clear access through the property, among other considerations. These issues went through multiple review and approval at the local, state and federal levels extending over four years.

"The comprehensive master plan shapes the ‘long view’ for Viewpoint," said Headmaster Dr. Robert Dworkoski. "It looks at the best utilization of today’s campus and the optimal design from an educational standpoint."

Jeffrey M. Kalban & Associates has designed more than a dozen school campuses in Southern California.