Pope John Paul II High School

Narratives

Architect Narrative

Design Concepts

Inspired by the church of the school’s namesake, the outdoor space in front of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Piazza San Pietro offered a major design influence. Similar to Bernini’s colonnade, which embraces the open space and provides a forecourt to the cathedral, an elliptical loggia forms the school’s courtyard space. This loggia breaks and offers an opening for the community at large. The elevated plaza provides a view over the terraces of parking to the south and west, as well as, significantly presenting the school to the community as people pass by on Vietnam Veteran’s Parkway. The Chapel is the focal element from within and beyond the courtyard as it rises above the loggia. A cross is lifted above the tree level to allow for a view when approaching the Chapel from the east and west.

The placement of the spaces was developed to provide two major connections: chapel to the students and media center/technology to the classrooms. The Chapel’s position as the focal point of the school is reflected in its placement. It is positioned at the head of the classroom wing to direct the student circulation in this area toward the entrance of the Chapel. This location affords convenient visits for students before, during, and after school for mass, prayer, and reflection. The Chapel’s layout provides for flexible seating with kneelers that can be arranged in various configurations to view the Altar, Ambo, and the Presider’s Chair. These elements are placed with a direct view upon entering the chapel with a cross in the background. Small niche areas on the sides of the Chapel, illuminated by slits of glazing from either side, provide spaces for prayer and reflection. Therefore, the significance of religious education and spiritual growth provided by the school, are greatly supported by the inherent focus of all the areas of the school upon the chapel.

The typical classrooms are divided into two basic areas: teaching/instruction and computer. The computer areas are at the back wall and the corridor wall, which have lowered acoustical ceilings for a more intimate environment, to allow for mechanical ducts and sprinkler lines to be concealed above, and to serve the main seating area. The instruction area has a raised ceiling for a larger volume in the main space with suspended direct and indirect lighting. The teacher’s desk and presentation wall are opposite the door to keep the student’s attention focused toward the instructor. The Media Center, which is conveniently accessible from the classrooms, provides various levels of social interaction with group study rooms and informal study areas with a coffee bar. Beyond the Media Center, the Commons space provides various settings for student interaction and study in addition to providing circulation to the majority of the school’s main program functions. The academic education of the students begins in the classroom but extends through the various levels of social interaction throughout the building.

Educator Narrative

As principal of the school, I believe the main attributes of the building and its architecture are:

1. Inspiration: Students are wowed by the architecture of this building. They are not in a cookie-cutter. They recognize intuitively that the building combines classical allusions and unusual features. The loggia and the chapel are constant sources of inspiration.

2. Unity: The building works because it preserves the sense of different parts of the school or campus while being under one roof. Students “travel” from arts to academics to sports. Communication and community are enhanced by the connectedness of the buildings.

3. Cost and utility: Our school has Everything! Yet, it is efficient in terms of construction costs.

4. Practical: We have been in the school for one year. The effectiveness of the design is apparent in the total lack of surprises or complaints. Hallways are the right width, classrooms well designed. The building has no “dark” spots.

In short, we believe that we have a timeless modern building, built for the latest trends in education at relatively cheap costs. It is not just a school, it is a building of architectural brilliance.