Livermore High School Classroom Building & Student Union
A Dynamic Way to Learn and Connect
At Livermore High School, a new project is reimagining the way students learn, gather, and connect. HED is designing a three-story classroom building, a flexible student union with café, and a dynamic quad that together will unify the campus and strengthen its identity while honoring the school’s historic character.
The 42,000-square-foot classroom building provides a mix of general classrooms, special day classrooms (SDC), and project-based learning spaces. Designed to support both traditional and hands-on learning, the building will accommodate subjects ranging from fine arts to green engineering. Flexible layouts allow for multiple modes of instruction, giving teachers the tools to adapt to evolving pedagogy and giving students environments where collaboration and exploration come naturally.
Alongside the classroom building, a new student union anchors daily life on campus. With its kitchen and café, the student union provides a flexible venue for dining, socializing, and events. More than a place to eat, it is envisioned as a hub for the school community where students can gather informally between classes, where clubs and groups can meet, and where the school can host events that bring the wider Livermore community onto campus. By day, it serves as a commons for student life. By evening, it becomes a venue for community gatherings, reinforcing the school’s role as both an educational institution and a civic resource.
The design also emphasizes outdoor connections. A new quad links the classroom building and student union to the surrounding campus, creating a dynamic landscape of lawns, shaded dining areas, and outdoor classrooms. These spaces extend learning beyond the walls of the classroom and provide students with places to gather, study, or relax. Designed for flexibility, the quad accommodates both small group activities and larger school events, tying together indoor and outdoor life.
Importantly, the project strengthens campus unity. The new buildings are sited as a gateway between the school’s historic administration building to the south and the HED-designed gymnasium to the north. By bridging these anchors, the new classroom building and student union create a cohesive campus spine, knitting together past, present, and future. Architectural elements respect the historic character of the school while introducing a fresh, forward-looking aesthetic, reinforcing Livermore High’s identity as a place of tradition and progress.
The project represents a significant investment by the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. More than a set of new facilities, it provides a comprehensive vision for learning, wellness, and community life. Together, the classroom building, student union, and quad will shape a campus that supports student success today while preparing Livermore High School for the decades ahead.
