Restoring a Historic Campus Icon
Since 1919, the administration building at Palo Alto High School—paired with its adjacent bell tower—has served as the symbolic entry point to campus. Over the decades, however, renovations and piecemeal adaptations had obscured its original character, leaving important spaces underutilized. Continuing a long-standing partnership with the district, HED collaborated with the school to restore and modernize this historic building, blending 21st-century needs with preservation of its architectural heritage.
At the heart of the project was the renovation of the building’s historic meeting room. Once a soaring, double-height space with a vaulted wood ceiling and built-in casework, it had long been compromised by cubicles, carpeted floors, and infill partitions. HED’s modernization recaptured the room’s original grandeur by stripping away later alterations, refinishing the plank flooring, and restoring the original wood detailing. Even the historic light fixtures—irreplaceable features of the space—were custom retrofitted to allow them to remain in use. The result is a central gathering room that once again supports collaboration and ceremony while reflecting the school’s history.
The modernization extended throughout the building, addressing accessibility, circulation, and daily use. A new elevator and exterior ramps were added to improve universal access. The lobby and entry sequence were reconfigured and renovated, creating a more intuitive and welcoming arrival experience for both students and staff. Restrooms were upgraded to modern standards, and new finishes were carefully selected to highlight the historic architecture rather than conceal it.
Outside, a new patio was introduced as a formal and functional addition. Positioned to frame the administration building and bell tower, the patio provides a collegiate, ceremonial space that serves as a focal point for the central quad. By layering historic restoration with new public spaces, the project strengthens both the identity of the building and its role within the campus.
In recognition of its thoughtful approach, the project received a 2024 Preservation Award from the Palo Alto Stanford Heritage (PAST) and Historical Associations. Just as importantly, it marked the completion of a broader, multi-phase modernization of the Palo Alto High School campus, with the bell tower and administration building serving as the symbolic capstone.
By restoring the building’s original character while upgrading it for accessibility and contemporary use, HED helped reestablish the administration building as the iconic front door of Palo Alto High School, a space that honors its history while serving future generations.