Shaping a Dynamic Learning Hub
To better serve students and the broader community, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District partnered with HED, in collaboration with Moore Ruble Yudell Architects & Planners, to design a new five-story, 280,000-square-foot academic complex. Known as the Discovery Building, the project redefines the school’s North Campus, combining cutting-edge learning environments with cultural, recreational, and community assets.
The Discovery Building is designed as an “open building,” a flexible model that emphasizes adaptability over time. Its open column grid, raised floors, and non-load-bearing walls allow classrooms and labs to be reconfigured as pedagogy evolves. This approach creates a building that can grow and change with the needs of students, teachers, and the community for decades to come. Operable glass walls extend this flexibility, allowing spaces to open directly into common areas or outdoor classrooms.
Wrapped around a central entry courtyard, the building creates a strong sense of arrival. Cascading stairs and bleachers encourage informal gathering, fostering connection among students and staff. In collaboration with the Dean and the students, HED worked collaboratively to define what they considered key attributes of the Samohi community. With the help of language teachers at the school, these characteristics were translated into the multiple languages spoken by the diverse student body and displayed on a “Word Wall” for students and faculty to admire daily.
Outdoor learning is integral to the design. The building incorporates shaded courtyards, landscaped outdoor rooms, and a rooftop hydroponic garden, all of which extend education into the natural environment. Large shade trees and open-air gathering areas create spaces for dining, teaching, and community events. These features, along with a publicly accessible 50-meter pool, central kitchen and dining facility, and outdoor plaza, make the Discovery Building an asset not just for students but for the broader Santa Monica community.
Sustainability is woven throughout. The facility achieved recognition for features including displacement ventilation systems, rooftop photovoltaic and solar thermal arrays, and a striking two-story living green wall. Substantial daylighting strategies reduce energy demand while connecting interior spaces to the California climate. Together, these features advance the district’s commitment to environmental stewardship while creating healthier environments for students and staff.
The Discovery Building has earned national and regional acclaim, including the 2024 Green GOOD DESIGN® Award, an ENR California Best K-12 Education Award, and recognition from both the Los Angeles Business Council and the American Architecture Awards.
Replacing outdated facilities with a flexible, sustainable, and community-focused complex, the Discovery Building signals a new era for Santa Monica High School. One that celebrates collaboration, hands-on learning, and the integration of education with community life.
