Improvement

BOSCO TECH

Because Bosco Tech’s administration building has long retained the traditional look prevalent during its 1954 construction, the need to create an accurate glimpse of the vitality of today’s Tech—and where it is headed in the future—is in the works.

FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT & TRANSFORMATION

The recently developed master renovation plan for the entire campus will renew, modernize, and improve buildings. Renovation for one key element began this summer; the school’s lobby—the welcoming gateway to the campus—will give guests an insightful impression of the campus’ forwardlooking approach to education.

“The lobby design is the first step in a holistic, master-planned transformation of the Tech campus,” said Kyle Peterson, AIA, LEED AP, HMC Architects’ Principal Architect. “It’s the campus’ first impression for every single visitor, student, and teacher, and should rightfully represent the vision and mission of the school, to provide fully-integrated Catholic, college-prep and engineering-science-technology education guided by the educational philosophy of St. John Bosco into the 21st century and beyond.”

“Both new and modernized facilities will have their designs influenced by the school’s rich past, but will be forward-looking and flexible to allow for technological advancements over time. New facilities will be influenced by the now classic, mid-century modern design aesthetic of the existing school, but will feature flexible and technologically-advanced educational spaces to optimize student learning potential.”

With the lobby’s iconic wall mosaic depicting the Tech’s foundational attributes remaining as the design anchor, the updated finishings and color schemes will complement the 54,000-tile masterpiece, creating a fresh and modern feel while maintaining an air of tradition, legacy and history.

The new lobby will showcase the expansive campus view through oversized glass windows, overlooking the mall and, in the distance, iconic Tech Hall, enabling guests to see straight to the heart of the campus.

“First-time guests tell us that they had no idea how large the campus really is until they step through the back doors of the lobby,” said Tech President Memo Gutierrez (Automotive Technology ’83). “The much-needed lobby update is opening up the view, enabling visitors a view of the expansive campus and the open grassy mall.”

“A component of the overall goal for the campus, the lobby renovation is not only a structural overhaul, but shows the vision for the campus beyond the present day,” he continued. “It is a carefully planned forward look to where our entire physical plant will be in the next two to three decades.”

The majority of the lobby renovation’s $450,000 estimate was offset by generous gifts from the Dan Murphy Foundation and the Bill Hannon Foundation, both dedicated to supporting Catholic and educational institutions in Southern California. The foundations have been longtime supporters of the Tech and its students.

“We're incredibly grateful to the Dan Murphy Foundation and the Bill Hannon Foundation for their longstanding support. Because of them, we are able to showcase the school more effectively, by providing engaging and attractive facilities that accurately introduce who the Tech really is.” – MEMO GUTIERREZ