California High School Converts Former Armory into Arts & Athletics Center

The Hillbrook School in San José, Calif., recently announced that one of its two adaptive reuse projects on campus is complete, according to a news release. The school partnered with Anderson Brulé Architects and Swenson Development & Construction to convert an armory—built in 1934 and used by the National Guard during World War II—into a new academic space, the Arts & Athletics Center. The new facility includes modern amenities like classrooms, art studios, and a gymnasium.

The reuse of historic buildings is part of the school’s “City as a Classroom” vision, the news release reports. The other adaptive reuse project in progress is the renovation of the Moir Building, built in 1894, into a space for robotics, digital fabrication, and woodshop labs. The facilities will complete the school’s Upper Campus and serve to revitalize the larger St. James Park neighborhood.

“The renovation of the Armory Building is a significant step forward on the path toward fully immersing ourselves in downtown San José,” said Hillbrook Head of School Mark Silver. “This beautifully reimagined space will inspire generations of Hillbrook students and the broader community, and it provides a new launching pad for our school's vision to reach beyond and make a difference in the world.”

The process involved assessing the Armory’s physical condition, a feasibility study for the conversion, and planning and programming the academic space. Work included retrofitting the building and upgrading mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as outfitting it with the technology and future-facing flexible spaces to support the school’s pedagogy. The facility provides a deliberate view of downtown San José to create a connection with local nonprofits, universities, businesses, and museums, according to the news release.

“It’s a true pleasure to be able to deliver a project that achieves so many beneficial goals, from furthering the school’s educational vision to contributing to our San José community by giving new life to a landmark in the city’s architectural heritage,” said Lee Salin, FAIA, managing partner at ABA. “Renovations are also vital to environmental sustainability by reusing existing buildings rather than demolishing and rebuilding.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Austin International School Library Renovation

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Austin International School has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • Tufts University Breaks Ground on Two New Residence Halls

    Tufts University in Medford, Mass., recently broke ground on two new residence halls with a total capacity of 664 beds, according to local news. The project’s ultimate goal is to expand on-campus housing and reduce pressure on the local housing market.

  • Greenheck Launches New Series of Rooftop Units

    Air movement, control, and conditioning solutions provider Greenheck recently launched a new line of rooftop units that merge the conveniences of traditional rooftop ventilators and dedicated outdoor air systems, according to a news release. The Model RT controls temperature and humidity for indoor comfort.

  • Dallas ISD Debuts New Peabody Elementary School

    The Dallas Independent School District in Dallas, Texas, recently announced the completion of the new facility for George Peabody Elementary School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects and REEDER Construction on the 70,807-square-foot replacement campus, which has the capacity for 550 students.

Digital Edition