Piedmont Unified School District’s construction management consultant Trish Culbert, who is part of the Measure H1 administrative team overseeing the building project, took Exedra photographer Julie Reichle for a tour of the new STEAM building on Monday, Feb. 8.
Construction of the new building, which sits on the site of the old Alan Harvey Theater, started in June 2019 and was expected to be completed last August. The pandemic threw a wrench into the reopening plans, causing some delivery delays from suppliers, but with no students allowed on campus since March, Overaa Construction has been able to continue working toward the finish line with little disruption and start construction of the new theater building on schedule.
Although there are still some materials, such as handrails, that have been delayed due to the pandemic, the district says the building will be ready for students when they are allowed back on campus. (The district’s reopening plan for hybrid learning will be set in motion once COVID-19 case rates fall enough to move Alameda County into the Red Tier.)
Trish Culbert looks out the window of one of the classrooms with views of downtown Oakland and San Francisco 
Culbert points out the smart windows and shades that will automatically open and close based on weather conditions 
Light and dark gray sound proofing material is installed throughout classrooms 
A single chair in what will be the broadcasting room 
Much of the wiring is left exposed allowing students to see and understand some of the engineering within the building itself 
A light filled math classroom with views of the bay 
Large windows look out to Magnolia, Bonita and the new theater 
A view of building in progress for the new theater. The first floor will be the front entrance and the lobby 
One of the classrooms with moveable panels that will allow access to the adjacent classroom 
One of the science classrooms with power cables that are easily accessible from the ceiling 
The outdoor art area where the kilns will be installed 
Another garage door so art students can work on projects on the outdoor patio