Benjamin Bosse High School Renovation and New Construction 1993-1999
IndianaIn an era when school administrators seem all too ready to throw away old buildings, Bosse High School in Evansville, Indiana provides an outstanding model for school districts throughout the country. After a continued course of renovations and additions, the 1922 school continues to present a unified design. More important, it is a first-class learning facility with all of the modern amenities found in new school buildings and all of the character that provides students and the city with a pride of place.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this project is the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation`s commitment to the preservation of historic schools system-wide. Though Bosse High School is often considered the most architecturally distinguished building in the system, it is joined by several other historic schools that are sensitively maintained and renovated by the corporation. In a move virtually unknown in political circles, the school board unanimously voted to renovate Bosse. The vote demonstrates the board`s appreciation for the building and their commitment to maintaining a community landmark. Executives in the school corporation -- including Superintendent Phil Schoffstall and former director of school facilities Virgil Miller -- believe the renovation of their historic schools is a fiscally sound decision and a means of promoting civic pride and tradition.
The school is an outstanding example of the Collegiate Gothic style and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Lincolnshire Historic District. Because it occupies a full city block, Bosse High School`s impact on the neighborhood, both physically and symbolically, is tremendous. The Lincolnshire neighborhood began as an exclusive planned suburban community created by the Evansville design firm of Anderson and Veatch. Though many of the homes were designed in a limited number of period revival styles, no two are identical. The Collegiate Gothic design of Bosse High School complements the surrounding Tudor and Colonial revival homes and provides a visual anchor for the southern end of the historic district. The main school structure was constructed in 1922, with a classroom addition in 1926 and subsequent additions in 1957 and the 1960s. Other than painting and carpeting, no renovation work had been done to the building over the years.
The Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation decided in 1990 that renovations were needed to expand the facility, improve technological capabilities, and make the structure compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Evansville architectural firm of Fosse & Associates Architects, Inc. divided the massive renovation project into seven phases, completed 1993 to 1999.
Phase I renovated the original auditorium and added two new classrooms and toilet facilities in the cafeteria.
Phase II included enveloping an incompatible one-story administration wing with a two-story addition that doubled the square footage of the administration area and added new science labs and classrooms. The addition of an elevator made, the second floor handicapped-accessible. The new addition matched the 1922 building in style, scale and materials. The 1926 addition was also renovated, enlarging classrooms from an average 500-600 square feet to 900 square feet.
Phase III focused on the 1922 building by relocating the media center from the second floor to a central location on the first floor. The original Industrial Arts classrooms were renovated, and a courtyard was enclosed to create new music and choral rooms. Classrooms were renovated increasing the size from 500-600 square feet to 900 square feet. Phase IV also enlarged the remaining 1922 classrooms to 900 square feet.
Phase 4: Renovation of the remaining class rooms in the 1922 building increased classroom sizes to 900 square feet.
Phase V added a two-story building for Home, Culinary, and Industrial Arts classrooms. The new addition abutted the 1968 cafeteria addition, thereby screening its incompatible design from the rest of the building. The original Industrial Arts building was renovated to incorporate the new Industrial Technology curriculum. A new facade was added to the building to match the 1922 design.
Phase VI renovated the cafeteria kitchen, adding new food service equipment and an a la carte serving line. An adjacent courtyard was enclosed for use as a food court with additional seating. Skylights maintain the courtyard atmosphere. Phase VII consisted of adding classroom space, toilet facilities and renovating remaining classroom areas.
In addition to being featured as a case study in the National Trust publication Why Johnny Can`t Walk to School, Bosse High School, Fosse & Associates Architects and Bartley & Perigo Masonry Contractors received the 1995 Golden Trowel Award in the Best of Show, masonry category, from the International Masonry Institute of Wisconsin.
In recognition of their preservation ethic and concern for quality education, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana recognizes the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation led by Dr. Phil Schoffstall and Fosse & Associates Architects, Inc. for thier great work.
Capacity Prior to Renovation: 1260 students
Current Building Capacity: 1560 students
Building Area Prior to Renovation: 218,156 sq. ft.
Current Building Area: 280,901 sq. ft.
Total Project Costs: $19,311,000
Cost Per Square Foot: $68.75
Space Per Student: 306 sq. ft. (Enrollment) / 180 sq. ft. (Capacity)
Cost Per Student: $21.059 (Current Enrollment) / $12.379 (Capacity)
Completion Date: 1999
For more information contact:
Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation
1 S. E. Ninth Street
Evansville, IN 47713
(812) 435-8453
Benjamin Bosse High School
1301 Washington Ave.
Evansville, IN 47714
(812) 477-1661
Fosse & Associates Architects, Inc.
Evansville, IN 47713
812-424-3516
(fax) 812-424-3517
