Brophy College Prep
Phoenix, AZ
Scott Eller Fine Art Building
The Eller Fine Arts building is three stories dedicated to multidisciplinary study of the arts at the college prepatory level and houses a state-of-the-art black box theater with retractable seating and acoustical draping to control the sound intimacy. The building also houses 2D, 3D, and photography art studios as well as a wood shop. Brophy’s goal to integrate technology is translated within a computer design studio and fully functioning television broadcast and production studio and language arts classrooms with wireless laptops for all students who attend the school. The fine arts building also includes a sophisticated band and orchestra rehearsal space that can be acoustically tuned to sound like a cathedral with long eco reverb or, it can be adjusted to sound like a small chamber for string quartets, as well as individual practice rooms for one-on-one instruction. The Fine arts building also provides extensive secure display space for the exhibition of historic musical instruments such as autographed guitars from Paul McCartney and other musicians. The guitars are displayed along side student art to celebrate fine art collectively.
The building may look like a traditional Spanish building with terracotta tiles that appear to sit on heavy timber framing and adobe bricks, it however is a modern building made of steel framing concrete blocks, insulated walls and ceilings and double pane windows for energy efficiency and minimizing operating costs.
Virginia G. Piper Math & Science Building
The Virginia G. Piper Center for Math and Science Center another example of innovative design within the sciences. As an identity building on this urban campus, school educators will have the capability to perform dangerous experiments in a “virtual” setting. Large interactive-projection screens will provide a safe environment for explosions and otherwise hazardous procedures. Students will have the ability to change the variables and see the results immediately. Some experiments that would be costly to construct can be done for free in a virtual world of computer animation. Another significant advantage of the math/science building and design feature is the physical unification of math and science. It allows the students to see, first-hand, the integration of the two subjects, and allows for more intensive, focused interdisciplinary learning. The building was also designed in a way to form a second mall area with existing structures for the students to socialize.
The new 41,800 SF two-story center houses 18 classrooms with eight specifically designed for experimental purposes, two each of chemistry, biology, physical science, chemistry, physics, and ten math classrooms. There are also shared workroom areas and storage spaces.
Harper Great Hall
The Harper Great Hall is the finale of a nine-year master plan for Brophy College Preparatory. Brophy stands as a community hub for generations of Catholic families in both social and religious practice, and, as in circa 1928, the campus captures the essence of its Spanish-style courtyards and meeting places. The modern design embraces the campus’ heritage by respecting the “village” atmosphere that supports the vibrant Southwest environment.
