3. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Table of Contents
3 Contributors
4 Vision
5 Shared Spaces
7 Classrooms
8 After School Programs Support
9 Multi-Purpose Rooms
10 Auditoriums
11 Cafeterias & Kitchens
12 Gyms, Athletic Facilities, & Locker Rooms
13 Libraries
14 Health & Community Resources
15 Health Services
17 Resource Centers
20 Schoolyards (K-5)
21 Athletic Courts (6-12)
22 Parking & Transportation
23 Sports Fields
24 Gardens
25 Additional Resources
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 3
4.
5. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Contributors
Laura Binczak Joanna Locke
Physical Education TSA – Leadership, Director, Health and Wellness
Curriculum and Instruction Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District
Julia Ma
Roland Broach Coordinator, After School Programs
Director, Custodial Services Oakland Unified School District
OUSD Facilities Planning & Management
Tadashi Nakadegawa
Andrea Bustamante Director, Facilities
Director, Community School Partnerships OUSD Facilities Planning & Management
Oakland Unified School District
Don Neuwirth
Tiffany Chen Oakland Schoolyard Initiative
Strategist
MKThink Sue Pon
Administrator, Family Literacy Program
Nora Cody Oakland Unified School District
Program Director
Safe Routes to School Curtiss Sarikey
Associate Superintendent, Family, Schools,
Maxwell Gara and Community Partnerships
VISTA - Indoor Air Quality Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District
Charles Smith
Josh Jackson Coordinator, Buildings and Grounds
Senior Strategist Oakland Unified School District
MKThink
Ron Smith
Mara Larsen-Fleming Principal, West Oakland Middle School
Program Manager, School-Based Health Oakland Unified School District
Centers – Family, Schools, and Community
Partnerships Preston Thomas
Oakland Unified School District Principal, Life Academy
Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 5
6. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Vision
The guidelines for Shared Use spaces in this Long-term Partnerships
document outline criteria for new construction and A segment of school site or a facility on school
renovation projects as described by the Oakland grounds that is jointly funded, owned, and/or
Unified School District’s Educational Specifications. programmed by an outside entity (e.g. school-based
The specifications align with OUSD’s 2012 Facilities health clinic)
Master Plan and the Community Schools, Thriving
Students strategic plan to support the creation of a These Shared Use design guideline outline facility
Full-Service Community School District. design considerations that will facilitate shared use
of school sites in support of the community school
The specifications provide a consistent framework model, as well as help provide resources for
for equitable facility designs across the district. The emergency preparedness. This design guideline will
unique characteristics of each school site and the be used on projects during the site-based
distinct needs of each school program mean that engagement process.
each facility project will have different architectural
outcomes. Making spaces flexible is a central guiding principle
to this work. Projects to support shared use should
From a facilities perspective, this commitment to enable school facilities to shift uses easily for various
community schools means sharing OUSD facilities programs. Enabling parts of a campus to be open
with partner organizations through: while other parts are secured gives site
administrators the flexibility to share certain rooms
Unstructured Community Use on campus while other areas remain secured.
School facilities open to (informal use by) the public
during non-school hours (e.g. farmers market) Shared Use Spaces
These guidelines address the shared use of several
Programmed Use types of facilities:
Community event/programming takes place on • Classrooms • School-Based
school grounds using existing facilities (e.g. • Afterschool Health Clinics
afterschool tutoring) Programs Support • Counseling
• Multi-Purpose Centers
Co-located Public Programs Rooms • Wellness Centers
A portion of school property is open for public use • Cafeterias & • Family/Youth
during school hours AND non-school hours (e.g. Kitchens Resource Centers
public library) • Auditoriums • Schoolyards
• Gyms, Athletic • Play Courts
Facilities, & Locker • Parking &
Rooms Transportation
• Libraries • Sports Fields
• Gardens
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 6
7. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Shared Spaces
Schoolyard
Gym, Athletic Facility,
Locker Rooms
Auditorium/
Multi-Purpose
Room
Cafeteria & Kitchen
Garden/
Outdoor Play Courts
Classrooms, Library,
Classroom
Afterschool Programs
Sports Field
Support
Family/Youth
Resource Center Health Clinic &
Counseling Center
Campus Adjacencies
• Separate play courts/schoolyards from classroom • Locate spaces for large gatherings (auditorium,
windows to prevent disruptions gym, multi-purpose room) near main entrance
• Consider noise and exhaust from landscaping
equipment when locating classrooms in
relationship to lawns
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 7
8. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Shared Spaces
Security & Access
• There should be one primary drop-off/pick-up • Install surveillance cameras at critical points on
point near the main entrance to the school campus (e.g. entryways, rooms where high-value
• All outdoor spaces should be well-lit, have high items are stored such as computer labs)
visibility, and be easy to supervise from one • Campus-wide alarm systems should feature
vantage point multiple control zones, allowing certain zones to
• Clearly mark a place on-site to store emergency be secured while other are open. Consider
preparedness materials technologies that permit remote monitoring by
• Minimize number of campus entryways to school administration
improve supervision • Consider electronic keying system that can be
reconfigured by one-site staff
Sustainability
• Apply designs to reduce water usage • Efforts should be made to reduce building
• Consider methods to reduce energy usage footprints to maximize open space (CHPS)
• Use campus as a teaching tool for resource • Consider using solar energy as a sustainable
management and sustainable practices resource
• Align with the Collaborative for High
Performance Schools (CHPS) Best Practices
Manual
Neighborhood
• Identify opportunities to connect to community • Consider access and pedestrian routes to public
resources that provide services not available on transportation
campus e.g. public library, park, youth center
• Consider parking needs for neighboring
organizations for increased parking spots during
community events
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 8
9. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Classrooms
The 21st Century Classrooms Guidelines will provide a
framework for:
• Flexible Classroom Configurations
• Furniture & Equipment
• Technology Infrastructure
• Utilities
• STEM
• Programs for Exceptional Children
Schools often share classrooms with partner
organizations. Outside of regular school functions,
classrooms may be used for afterschool programs, adult
education, and enrichment programs.
21st Century Classroom
Space Specifications
• Provide secured, partitioned storage (for books, • If moveable walls are used to partition the
technology, instructional supplies, toys, art space, make sure that they are acoustically
materials, etc.) located within room so that sealed
teachers are able to have their classroom • Make individual rooms or set of rooms
materials and projects uninterrupted by other independently securable to allow site
programs sharing the space administrators to share certain parts of campus
• Access to restrooms; access to technology; • Maximize wall space for whiteboards and
access to spaces for community events and bulletin boards
childcare services • See 21st Century Classrooms Design Guidelines for
full specifications
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 9
10. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Afterschool Programs Support
Afterschool Programs include activities like cooking and
dance, academic tutoring, and family literacy. Activities
typically occur at multiple spots on campus that require
easy access to a central gathering space for up to 100
people. All spaces used by after school programs should
be fully accessible and securable after regular school
hours.
Though Afterschool Programs primarily take place in
classrooms, they also require access to specialized
rooms such as art studios, cafeterias, gyms, and
computer labs. For that reason, it is important that all
spaces on campus are securable independently.
Afterschool should have access to outdoor spaces
(fields and grounds), and to kitchens, meal service areas, Urban Promise Academy classroom with running water and schoolyard access
and cafeterias for the Afterschool Meals and Snacks
Program.
Afterschool programs also require a dedicated space for
an on-site coordinator and a prep area for program
assistants that are ideally located near the main office
of the school to facilitate communication between
administrators. There should be one centralized storage
area for all afterschool activities that can accommodate
a variety of supplies as well as in-process projects.
Space Specifications for Staff Area
• Office space for Program Director adjacent to school staff/main office
• Accessible after regular school hours
• Fully securable access points
• Open staff prep space
• Provide storage for books, instructional supplies, art materials, etc.
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 10
11. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Multi-Purpose Rooms
Multi-purpose rooms can accommodate large
gatherings. Since they are often used in afterschool
activities and community meetings, they should be
flexible spaces with sturdy, reconfigurable furniture that
support group work.
Depending on each site’s resources, the multi-purpose
room may also serve as a cafeteria and/or auditorium,
so consider acoustics.
La Escuelita Educational Complex “Great Room”
Space Specifications
• Ceilings, lighting fixtures, and other electrical or • Lighting and HVAC controls should be in a
HVAC components should be at least 20 feet off centralized location to allow for convenient
the ground in case the multi-purpose room is access to environmental controls
used for recreational activities • Provide storage for equipment, including tables
• Consider that rooms may be used for physical and floor mats – varies by grade level
education when designing fans or other ceiling • Access to restrooms; access to running water
equipment • Accessible from exterior after regular school
• All surfaces should be durable and easily hours for community events
cleanable • Fully securable access points
• Consider acoustics • Access to outdoor seating/eating area
• Consider sustainable design elements for • Reconfigurable, compressible furniture that
lighting and ventilation supports group activities and can also be easily
• For sites with adjacent food prep areas, ensure yet safely collapsed by one adult to be stored
ventilation directs kitchen odors away from away (e.g. Huddle Tables); stage if one does not
student areas already exist elsewhere on campus; retractable
projector screen (if used as auditorium)
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 11
12. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Cafeterias & Kitchens
For full kitchen specifications, see Kitchens & Gardens
Design Guidelines.
Cafeterias and kitchens are often used for afterschool
activities and community meetings. The cafeteria
should be a flexible space with sturdy, reconfigurable
furniture that supports group interaction and can also
be easily yet safely collapsed and stored away.
Since many schools offer afterschool Meals and Snacks
Programs, kitchens, meal service areas, and cafeterias
should be independently securable in order to allow
administrators to share that specific part of campus.
Castlemont High School Cafeteria
Space Specifications
• All surfaces should be durable and easily • Provide minimum 144 S.F. of storage for
cleanable equipment, including tables – varies by grade
• Consider acoustics level
• For sites with adjacent food prep areas, ensure • Access to restrooms; access to running water
ventilation directs kitchen odors away from and water fountains
student areas • Accessible from exterior after regular school
• Lighting and HVAC controls should be in a hours for community events
centralized location to allow for convenient • Fully securable access points
access to environmental controls • Access to outdoor seating/eating area
• Provide sufficient space in waste collection • Reconfigurable, compressible furniture that
areas to accommodate 3-4 large bins for supports group activities and can also be easily
compost/recycling programs yet safely collapsed by one adult to be stored
away (e.g. Huddle Tables)
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 12
13. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Auditoriums
For full auditorium specifications, see High Schools &
Middle Schools Design Guidelines.
Auditoriums are often used by outside organizations for
community events. They should be fully accessible and
securable after regular school hours, and should be
located near parking and/or the main entrance to the
school.
Adjacent restrooms serving the auditorium should be
independently securable, with exterior access points, so
that they are available separately from other parts of
campus.
Elmhurst Middle School Auditorium
Space Specifications
• Consider acoustic quality of space
• Locate lighting and HVAC controls in a centralized location to
allow for convenient access to environmental controls
• Provide minimum 144 S.F. of storage for equipment (e.g.
equipment for orchestra, performance art, extra tables and
chairs) – varies by grade level
Castlemont HIgh School
• Provide suitable ventilation
• Access to auditoriums and adjoining restrooms should be
independent from the rest of the campus.
• Accessible after regular school hours for community events
• Fully securable access points
• Performance stage, retractable projector screen
• When possible, provide an entry lobby.
• When possible, provide an access route for vehicles to load and
unload equipment.
Life Academy/United for Success
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 13
14. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Gyms, Athletic Facilities,
& Locker Rooms
For full recreational use specifications, see High Schools &
Middle Schools Design Guidelines.
Gyms are often used by outside organizations for
community events or afterschool programs. They should
be fully accessible and securable after regular school
hours, and should be close to restrooms that are
securable separately from the main school.
Adjacent restrooms serving the gym should be
independently securable, with exterior access points, so
that they are available separately from other parts of
campus.
Oakland High School Gym
Space Specifications Examples of Equipment to
be Stored
• Ceilings, lighting fixtures, and • Accessible after regular school
other electrical or HVAC hours for community events
components should be at least • Fully securable access points
20 feet off the ground • Collapsible event seating for the
• Consider that rooms will be used gym
for physical education when • Scale amount of storage with
designing fans or other ceiling number of students at school and
Wrestling mats
equipment grade level – consider teams at
• All surfaces should be durable middle/high school level
and easily cleanable
• Consider acoustics
• Different use areas should
separately accessible (e.g. weight
rooms, lockers, gymnasium)
• Access to public restrooms; Basketball storage
access to running water
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 14
15. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Libraries
Libraries have many of the amenities that are required
for events such as community meetings or afterschool
enrichment programs.
Libraries should be independently securable, with
exterior access points, so that they are available
separately from other parts of campus.
Oakland Tech High School Library
Space Specifications
• All surfaces should be durable and easily cleanable
• Consider acoustics
• Consider rugs as flooring to act as sound absorbers
• Surveillance systems should be put in please to ensure that
library materials are secure
• Consider making rooms where high-value items are stored
Manzanita Elementary School Library
• Lighting and HVAC controls should be in a centralized location
to allow for convenient access to environmental controls
• Accessible from outdoors after regular school hours for
community events
• Fully securable access points
• Reconfigurable furniture that supports group activities;
retractable projector screen (optional)
Peralta Elementary School Library
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 15
16. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Health &
Community Centers
sical Healt
Health & Community Centers include on-campus student, family,
Phy h
and community resources. They may range from providing health
services referrals to fully integrated youth programs, counseling
services, and clinics. The specific design of Health & Community
Centers will vary depending on the program and lead agency/ School-Based
Health Center
health provider. For more details, refer to guidelines provided by
the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
As programs change and evolve along with their providers, so Family/Youth
Counseling
Health & Community Centers designs should be flexible and Center Resource Center
accessible. For both counseling spaces and health clinics,
protecting the privacy of patients is imperative. These spaces
should be located at a more private place on campus (i.e. not next M
en th Co m y
to the main office). Spaces should be designed to maximize t al H e al m u nit
confidentiality by considering both sight lines and sound.
At all levels, health and community resources should have both a
At the elementary schools, school-based health centers, school and a community entrance that are independently
counseling, and family/youth centers should be in an integrated securable to allow the centers to be available to members of the
space that allows for ease of communication between families public after regular school hours.
and their students. At the middle/high schools, school-based
health centers should have a division between services for
families for those for students to ensure the privacy of patients.
Basic Program Components
Access
Public More Private
Reception
Area Lab Lab
Kitchenette Restroom
Gathering Room /Storage
Public
Restroom Exam File
Room Storage
Conference
Office Room
CONFIDENTIAL ZONE
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 16
17. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Health Services
School-Based Health Center
School-Based Health Centers provide
primary health services to children and
their families. They are typically located
in or near a school facility and are
organized through school, community,
and health provider relationships. Work
with lead agency and medical provider
on specific design needs.
• Program Components
• Private exam rooms
• Office spaces (open and/or
private) Wildcat Wellness Center at Oakland High School
• Lab
• Restroom adjoining lab
• Reception
• Conference room
• Optional: triage space
• Optional: dental exam room
• Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
vary depending on scope of health
center services; adequate
soundproofing; no rugs; access to
running water and water fountains
• Provide secured storage for files and
supplies
Madison Middle School School-Based Health Center
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 17
18. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Health Services
Counseling Center
Counseling Centers allow students and
families to have access to individual or
group behavioral health counseling
sessions.
• Program Components
• Reception
• Private offices
• Group counseling space
• Public restroom
• Reconfigurable furniture in the
Group Counseling room
• Adequate soundproofing for Frick Middle School School-Based Health Center
acoustic confidentiality
• Provide secured file storage
Wellness Center
Wellness Centers offer a range of free,
confidential services, including support
and empowerment groups,
reproductive health services, and
information and referrals to health
resources in the community.
• Program Components
• Reception
• Private offices
• Health education resources
• Group meeting space
• Public restroom Allendale Elementary School Counseling Center
• Standard office furnishings and
lounge furniture
• Provide secured file storage
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 18
19. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Resource Centers
Basic Program Components
Access
Kitchenette Public Closed Conference Room Storage
/Laundry Restroom Open Gathering
Space
Family/Youth Resource Centers are spaces to engage in parent learning, leadership, and advocacy. Services often
include family workshops, food bank, English language learner classes, and information and referrals.
Family Resource Center
• Program Components
• Kitchenette
• Large gathering space for workshops
• Computers/technology access
• Group meeting room
• Public restroom
• Optional: workout equipment
• Optional: laundry (include flexible plumbing)
• Reconfigurable furniture that can accommodate West Oakland Middle School Family Resource Center
group activities; lounge furniture
• Provide large storage space for donations
Youth Resource Center
• Program Components
• Office space (open and/or private)
• Public restroom
• Classroom-sized gathering space
• Computers/technology access
• Optional: small meeting room
• Reconfigurable furniture that can accommodate
group activities; lounge furniture
• Provide secured file storage; storage for Skyline High School Youth Empowerment Lounge
educational and enrichment programs
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 19
20. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Schoolyard (K-5)
Schoolyards at the elementary school level provide outdoor
recreation space for students. The ground coverings are
typically a mixture of paved areas and softer materials such
as grass, decomposed granite, or rubber flooring, especially
near play structures. There should be shaded play and
resting areas, as well as age-appropriate and weather-
resistant outdoor furniture.
Schoolyards should be accessible and securable after school
hours. The characteristics of schoolyards at each site should
be largely determined through a community-driven process.
There should be weather-resistant secured storage for play
equipment such as:
Ascend Elementary School
Tetherball
Equipment storage Scooters Rackets
poles
Space Specifications
• There should be separated zones to accommodate • Grades Pre-K – Kindergarten: Dedicated space for play
multiple activities simultaneously structures with softer ground covering (grass,
• Consider areas for outdoor teaching spaces (see decomposed granite)
Kitchens & Gardens Design Guidelines for full • Grades 1 – 5: Dedicated space for play courts
specifications) • Various seating options
• All outdoor spaces should be easy to supervise from • Shaded areas
one vantage point
• There must be adequate drainage for entire outdoor
space Security & Access
• All spaces should be ADA accessible
• A gate that is wide enough to allow cars, buses, and
• Play structures should be located on the periphery of
maintenance/fire trucks to access the schoolyard;
the schoolyard – do not create “islands” that could
should be located away from student access
interfere with play courts
• Minimize number of schoolyard entryways to improve
• Separate play courts/schoolyards from classroom
supervision
windows to prevent disruptions
• Access to independently securable restrooms; access to
• To reduce heat islands, impervious areas should be kept
water fountains
to a minimum and be shaded/lightened (CHPS)
• Modern (no chain-link), chest-height fencing when
• Enclosing fence with fully securable access points
possible
• Allow access to OUSD Buildings & Grounds for
maintenance
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 20
21. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Athletic Courts (6-12)
Athletic courts at the middle and high school level provide
an outdoor recreation space for students. There should be
designated zones for P.E. classes, each with enough space to
accommodate up to 60 students simultaneously. There
should be shaded active and resting areas, as well as
weather-resistant outdoor furniture.
Athletic courts should be fully accessible and securable after
school hours. The characteristics of athletic courts at each
site should be largely determined through a community-
driven process; see High Schools & Middle Schools Design
Guidelines for more specifications.
There should be weather-resistant secured storage for play
equipment such as:
Madison Middle School
Tetherball
Equipment storage Goals Rackets
poles
Space Specifications
• A gate that is wide enough to allow cars, buses, • Consider noise and exhaust from landscaping
and maintenance/fire trucks to access the equipment when locating classrooms in
schoolyard; should be located away from relationship to lawns
student access • To reduce heat islands, impervious areas should
• Minimize number of athletic court entryways to be kept to a minimum and be shaded/lightened
improve supervision (CHPS)
• All outdoor spaces should be easy to supervise • Access to independently securable restrooms;
from one vantage point access to water fountains
• There must be adequate drainage for entire • Provide weather-resistant secured storage for
outdoor space athletics equipment
• Consider efficient lighting for sites with evening • Modern (no chain-link) enclosing fence with
sports fully securable access points
• All spaces should be ADA accessible • Various seating options
• Shaded areas
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 21
22. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Parking &
Transportation
On-site parking should be provided in an area that is
fully securable and well-lit. Parking spaces are available
for programs using the site after regular school hours;
they may also be used for farmers markets and other
outdoor community events.
At sites with limited parking, consider designating parts
of a schoolyard or athletic courts for outdoor parking
after regular school hours.
There should be a certain amount of space near the
main entrance to the school, or anywhere else with
frequent foot traffic, dedicated to secured bicycle racks.
Acorn Woodland Elementary School
Space Specifications
• Create preferred parking for carpools (CHPS)
• Provide bike, scooter, or skateboard racks & bike lanes (CHPS)
• To reduce heat islands, impervious areas should be kept to a
minimum and be shaded/lightened (CHPS)
• Parking space allocations should be clearly labelled
• There should be signage designating what is or is not available
Students biking to school (Image courtesy of Oakland Local)
as a parking space
• Provide a few short-term (10-15 minutes max.) parking spaces
near the primary drop-off/pick-up point
• Provide secured bicycle racks near an area with frequent foot
traffic
• Car access points should be easily identifiable
• If schoolyards/athletic courts are being used for parking, use
higher density asphalt on areas that will be accessed by cars,
buses, and maintenance/fire
Safe Routes to School Walking School Bus (Image courtesy of SFGate
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 22
25. Design Guidelines Shared Use
Additional Resources
Joint Use School Partnerships in California: Strategies to Enhance Schools and
Communities
Center for Cities & Schools, University of California, Berkeley
http://citiesandschools.berkeley.edu/joint-use.html
SF Public Schools Field Sharing Program
City Fields Foundation
http://cityfieldsfoundation.org/intro.php?id=209
Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley Case Study
Afterschool Alliance
http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/fundingPartnerCaseBG.cfm
Case Studies: Joint Use – Edison School/Pacific Park Project
New Schools Better Neighborhoods
http://www.nsbn.org/case/jointuse/edison.php
Shared Use of School and Community Facilities
Safe Routes to School
http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/state/bestpractices/shareduse
Coalition for Community Schools
http://www.communityschools.org
San Francisco Wellness Initiative
http://www.sfwellness.org
Alameda County Safe Routes to School
http://www.alamedacountysr2s.org
Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS)
http://www.chps.net
TransForm
http://www.transformca.org
San Francisco Wellness Initiative
http://www.sfwellness.org
Oakland Unified School District Design Guidelines 25
