Brophy College Preparatory

In September 1997 Orcutt | Winslow began working with Brophy College Preparatory to balance preservation with change in their new campus master plan. The richness of the eight building, 17.5-acre campus’ historic structures and traditions can be experienced in a walk through the courtyards.

As Brophy has grown, the number of spaces for academic instruction and other large group activities had run short. The lack of space had eliminated or limited programs. There was a clear need for more administrative facilities, enlarged teaching areas and general campus reorganization.

The planning process used included comprehensive programming, sessions with virtually every member of the administration, teaching staff, students, parent groups, maintenance staff and the board of regents - included everything from academics to campus ministry, and athletics to extracurricular activities. Key goals were addressed with user groups to establish design options. A final design was created, along with cost projections, to complete the master plan and the implementation of campus-wide additions.

The Scott Eller Fine Arts Building was designed with a black box multi-purpose space with retractable seating for 100 for a variety of performance and rehearsal functions. Several large roll-up doors provide direct access to the stage, staging area, a three-dimensional are lab and outside loading access. The control room is visible to the blackbox on one side and the television studio on the other. Nearby is the Harper Great Hall, a large subdividable meeting, dining and performance facility that includes food service for large and small events.

The Virginia G. Piper Center for Math and Science encourages the interaction of students to study, research, teach and interconnect the two subject areas in a dynamic way. An example of innovative design, the new identity building allows school educators the capability to perform experiments in a “virtual” setting and physically unify the two subjects. This ideal interdisciplinary learning environment maximized the dollar per square foot through a facility that lends itself to change. Daylighting, technology, flexibility (moveable furniture, wireless technology and dividing panels) and volume contribute to the success of the design.

The “Old World” character of the campus was transformed through the use of modern materials, and traditions already set in place. Stable, heavy-duty materials that symbolize strength and compatibility were implemented into the low-maintenance architecture and allow for the Hall to hold a dominant position on campus.