Bethel Park High School

HDG Architects, in partnership with Weber Murphy Fox, designed a new 321,000 SF high school building for the Bethel Park School District. The project was comprised of education, fine arts, and physical education wings that all connect through a centrally located common area. This central hub of the school houses, in part, a cafeteria adjacent to an exterior courtyard which allows for indoor/outdoor connectivity. The former school had a campus-style design with eight separate buildings, which provided ample exposure to the outdoors, but for security reasons the District wanted a new building to have all staff and students under one roof. The courtyard design addresses today’s concern with student safety while continuing to provide the opportunity to spend time outside during the school day. The design also features include the incorporation of 21st century learning concepts, including interactive technology such as projectors with interactive surfaces and information kiosks that allow for remote connectivity. The main gymnasium was designed as a multi-sports complex with 360 degree views. Adjacent to those spaces are additional new fitness programmatic elements including an 8-lane swimming pool with two diving boards, multiple scoreboards, and with seating for nearly 300 spectators. Also included in the scope of work was the demolition of the existing school and the creation of athletic fields and parking areas to serve the new facility.