Fountain Valley School

The Fountain Valley School’s Academic Center is a transformative educational project that reimagines the interior learning environments of a nearly century-old boarding school campus. Designed to foster both academic excellence and environmental stewardship, the Academic Center integrates these principles throughout the building and its surrounding landscape.

Rooted in sustainability, the project embraces the native bluestem prairie ecology of the region. Two-thirds of the existing manicured lawn have been replaced with native grasses and plantings, significantly reducing water usage and promoting biodiversity. Environmental performance is further enhanced through strategic water conservation measures, solar energy harvesting, and passive cooling systems—all core elements of the project’s sustainability framework.

Architecturally, the design draws inspiration from the historic context of the campus, particularly the 1930s Santa Fe-style dormitories originally crafted by renowned architect John Gaw Meem.

The new facility features 22 modern classrooms, seven state-of-the-art science labs, a new library, centralized administrative offices, and a range of innovative learning spaces.

The Academic Center introduces a contemporary design language that subtly integrates modern elements, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation.

Phase 1

Belltower Construction

The Belltower is Phase 1 of the project that greets visitors at the initial entry to campus. The tower is a mixture of stucco and bronze metal that allows playful glimpses of the bells through a series of horizontal slats. The design is all capped with a simple, notched steel plate roof that rests delicately above the last tier of exposed bells.