By Randy Robbins AIA, LEED AP
Phase 2 of the “Whole Site Modernization” is close to completion at Hoover High School.
Named after President Herbert Hoover, the campus opened in 1930 and has been a cornerstone of the City Heights area in San Diego, serving a diverse student body.
The original school buildings were designed in a Spanish-style with beige stucco, a red-tile roof, and unreinforced concrete. As part of a tradition related to signing their yearbooks, 12th grade (senior) students climbed a tower that became a signature defining aspect of the campus.
The high school underwent renovations in the early 1970s, which erased many of its original architectural features, including the tower that was a signature part of the campus.
In 2015 AVRP Studios commenced the design of the Phase 1of the “Whole Site Modernization” that included a new state of the art 500-seat theater and a new 3-story multipurpose building along the street façade that pays homage to the original buildings from the 1930s, including a new tower.
In 2023 AVRP Studios commenced Phase 2 of a Whole Site Modernization
The Phase 2 project included the following: Repair of all the existing elevated walkways, including stairs and ramp down to the framing; providing site drainage improvements to prevent lower floor flooding including replacement of storm drains and lines; Repair of existing exterior finishes, doors and windows; Update of exterior paint colors, lighting, signage, and wayfinding to match new buildings completed in Phase 1. The entire campus was updated to the current District IT & ECS standards; On campus Safe Dispersal Areas were verified and approved by DSA.
Balfour Beatty was the General Contractor for Phase 1 and PCL is the General Contractor for Phase 2
Additional Hoover High School projects completed by AVRP Studios in recent years include:
- CTE - Global Information Systems Classroom Remodel
- CTE - Sports Medicine Classroom Remodel
- CTE - Culinary Arts Facility including a full-service kitchen