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
Hoover Exterior
Hoover Theater
Hoover Commons
Hoover Culinary
Hoover Sports
Hoover Courtyard
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:
About AVRP Studios: Celebrating 45+ years of creativity and achievements, the firm and its principals have earned more than 150 design awards, including multiple Gold Nugget Grand Awards from PCBC, a list that includes Grand Awards in 2023 and 2022. AVRP originated in 1976, when Doug Austin began a small design firm out of his home. Today, the firm has designed numerous iconic projects both domestically and internationally. The firm’s project types include urban infill, mixed-use, housing, education, corporate office, multigenerational space, healthcare and more. The firm is led by three principals: Douglas H. Austin, FAIA, LEED AP, MAIBC; Christopher T. Veum, AAIA, IIDA; and Randy Robbins, AIA, LEED AP. Visit www.avrpstudios.com to learn more.