PCSD

Who did you meet with today?

Today we met with Keivan Abidi and Cyrus Amani.

Where do they work? What does the company do?

Keivan and Cyrus work for Pacific Charter School Development and LCA Architects respectively. LCA is a company that designs modular buildings for commercial and industrial buildings such as Lighthouse.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Some of the things we learned today were the step-by-step process of the creation of the think tank classroom, from how the floor plan was created in 3D before building them in the classroom to avoid conflicts and save time. We also learned on how they connected all the electrical wiring that the think tank space would need to become an actual classroom space.

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?

Some great insights that we learned from this field of real estate development is that there are many different elements that come together when creating a modular building in a space like the one that was made in our campus, from planning to creating it in 2D then sending in the plans to get them approved not only by the clients but the city, then building it in the time frame that was given to them.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today?

The most interesting thing that I learned from this specific field that it is easier and shorter to create a modular building inside another building than to build new buildings from the ground up.

Who did you meet with today?

Today we had the opportunity to meet with Mary Grace Houlihan.

Where do they work? What does the company do?

Mary Grace works with Pacific Charter School Development, a nonprofit organization that supports charter schools in finding affordable, quality facilities through site acquisition, project management, and financing. The mission of the organization is to break the systemic inequality in education by scaling educational opportunities for students in communities that have been under-resourced.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Today I was enlightened by the work of the crucial thoughts and necessities that come with work in architecture for public schools. I was also shown the process which makes these plans more realistic and attainable. Processes, such as construction modifications to public schools or other state-funded buildings, are reviewed to ensure specifications and other modifications comply with California’s codes, like Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. Especially for public schools, DSA ensures the modifications follow the rules of California codes to comply with structural safety as well as things such as fire and life safety and even accessibility and sustainability.

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?

This opportunity has opened my mind to the complexity of California codes. I was not aware of this complexity and the effect it had on how buildings are constructed and modified and how the rules and regulations limit the opportunity of other modifications due to it having to pass the review of safety issues and other essential rules. This also informs me of the complexity of public schools being built due to having to undergo a lot of restrictions in order to ensure safety of children.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today?

Many times, we see rules as a limit to your brain creativity, but something I found most interesting is in the way it opens my mind to new ideas that can not only follow the rules and regulations of the California codes but still live up to the expectations of creativity and how it all comes to life. I also enjoyed being able to discover the full process that goes before construction and development because most people don’t see the behind the scenes of how buildings are made. Finally, I appreciated the opportunity I was given to see the creation process and the vision of how modifications can be created in real life just as visualized in one’s mind.

Who did you meet with today?

Today we met with Tony Burnett, Rebecca Scalfaro, Amber Merrigan, Morgan Parker, Halli Floyd, Gregory Hunter, and Shayla Mellenthin from Colliers and Joyce Cunningham from Cushman Wakefield.

Where do they work? What does the company do?

They work for Colliers International Real Estate, in the Downtown Oakland firm. The company focuses primarily on helping buy, lease or sell apartments and commercial real estate properties with a limited amount of retail properties. Colliers also provides appraising and property management services.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Today we learned about Colliers and what it did along with the process of evaluating a construction site for what could potentially become a school. A highlight was when we visited a site that will soon become a parking lot for a school.

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?

We received insight about property zoning done by the city and how it impacts what sort of things you can do with that property/land. We also learned that industrial/commercial properties often make great spots for school construction projects.

What did you find the most interesting about the field in the field after today?

What I found most interesting about today, was the fact that the site we visited was initially going to be an extension to another school but due to various reasons, it only became a parking lot for the school. I was also very interested in Mr. Gregory’s knowledge of how the Google building at NASA Ames came to be, due to receiving a public investment because it was a global company.

Photo Credit: Alejandra Arias, Fall Intern