Specialized Facility:  New or Modernized

Award of Honor

Historic Hoover School

San Jose Unified School District

Steinberg Architects

Historic Hoover school recently reopened its doors to students for the first time in more than 30 years. The building had never received DSA approval for classroom space, as required by the 1937 Field Act. Housing various uses since the 1970's, the building became an encumbrance and was scheduled to be demolished.

The design team worked with DSA to acquire certification under the Field Act. Its non-certified status meant its seismic evaluation would be based on a prescriptive basis, making it prohibitively expensive for the District to upgrade without altering the historic fabric. Available funding was inadequate for the $10 million dollar project. By programming the building for joint-use, additional funding was subsequently obtained from the City for Parks and Recreation use and from other district sources for interim housing. Throughout the renovation process, the design team demonstrated the value of historical preservation by searching for and providing design options and materials that would best maintain building character at minimal cost gain.This impact is clearly visible in the new theater and courtyard. Originally a multi-purpose room, new theater seating, stage and acoustical upgrades transformed this space into a performance center.

A juror said, “This project is indicative of a time when schools were built as a true center of community and they were revered by the community. The design is such a well handled solution to the retention of a historical artifact. They've done a fantastic job in reusing the existing building and making minimal alterations to make it functional and combine more modern features into the interior to make it work.”