Design for Community: Encinitas Pacific View Arts Center
Previously the site of Pacific View Elementary School until its closing in 2003, the City of Encinitas wanted to breathe new life into the long-abandoned campus by transforming it into something that would reflect the city’s creative spirit and serve future generations. Their vision? A vibrant, community-driven Arts Education Center that would offer diverse art classes and mediums for the public to enjoy.
“This facility is going to serve the kids growing up in this community where parents can say, ‘This was a classroom I went to third grade in,’ and today you can be in this room and learn about mixing music or throwing a pot,” said Principal Jeff Katz.
COAR Design Group was brought in to lead the adaptive reuse of the site, a design approach that focuses on reimaging and revitalizing existing buildings for new uses, rather than tearing them down. “Adaptive reuse is really taking the bones of what exists on a site and finding a way to repurpose and make it productive and useful for another 50–75 years,” said Katz. The transformation began with a thorough assessment of the facility and a feasibility study. From there, COAR developed construction documents in close collaboration with the City of Encinitas to bring the community’s vision for a vibrant art space to life.
“There aren’t that many opportunities that we have to actually repurpose an existing building,” said Katz. “This facility is going to serve the kids growing up in this community where parents can say, ‘This was a classroom I went to third grade in,’ and today you can be in this room and learn about mixing music or throwing a pot.”
And so, the remodeled Pacific View Arts Center was born! What was once filled with chalkboards and school desks is now home to eight dynamic classrooms dedicated to disciplines such as music, visual arts, ceramics, fabric, broadcasting, and performance.
Inside, the facility received a complete overhaul of its infrastructure, from new HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems to seismic upgrades, a new sprinkler system, and new roofing. All new interior finishes were selected to make the space bright, welcoming, and creatively inspiring.
“We definitely wanted to maintain the character. The existing elementary school, there's plenty of members of the community that actually went to elementary school there, and there were a lot of elements that people did not want to see go away,” said Ryan Walker.
But amidst the transformation, COAR was intentional about preserving what mattered. Hopscotch squares remain painted on the sidewalk. Wood from the school’s original trellises was repurposed into classroom door shades. Even the beloved Juniper Tree at the entrance was preserved, thanks to a rerouted fire main designed in collaboration with city officials and arborists.
Community input also played a huge role in shaping the final design, both inside and out. “We worked with artists in the area to come up with a couple of different color palettes… and had the actual community vote on it,” Walker shared.
“It’s important to have input from the community, since ultimately they are the ones using this space,” added Gonzalo Garwood. “At the end of the day, that’s what we do…a product that is for the community.”
COAR is proud to have played a role in reimagining this once-vacant campus into a space that reflects the spirit and creativity of the Encinitas community. The result is a blend of preservation and purpose, designed to spark creativity for generations to come.
Want to see more? Explore the full renovation story on the Project Page, or check our Grand Opening blog for event highlights, photos, and more from the Pacific View Arts Center celebration.