SANTA ROSA HIGH SCHOOL DESOTO HALL

Santa Rosa, CA

 

The historic brick gothic architecture of Santa Rosa High School is considered by many to be one of the finest high school campuses in the California. The 1920’s campus has a strong visual presence along a major arterial street and is a source of great community pride. The site committee was adamant that their new 25-classroom building compliment the architecture of the historic campus core. After a lengthy planning process that included the site committee, District administration and architect, the design evolved towards the use of historic and durable materials such as full brick veneer, clay tile roofs and other materials that will last for generations, the ultimate sustainable strategy.

While reflecting the historical scale and integrity of the original campus architecture, simple yet dramatic manipulations of the front entrance and stair towers at the opposite ends of the building make a powerful statement of the building’s modernity, while literally reflecting the historic detail. The front entry facade and both end walls of the building are pulled away from the brick body of the building and connected to them with a modern curtain wall. Behind the ‘freestanding’ front entry façade is a spacious two-story lobby enclosed by a curved, full-height curtain wall layered behind and juxtaposed with the brick façade. The architecture of the lobby and other interior spaces maintains a comfortable blend of the historic and modern.