Renovation and Modernization of Saint Helena Elementary School

January 31, 2002

The town of St. Helena is located in the heart of the renowned Napa Valley wine country. Despite its fame, the main goal of this town of 5,950 is to "maintain a small-town atmosphere and to provide quality services to its citizens". Settled in 1834 as part of General Vallejo`s land grant, the community provides many wonderful restored historic homes, and St. Helena`s Main Street is a State Historic Commercial District. The community pride extends to its historic schools, of which the neighborhood school of St. Helena Elementary is their crowning jewel.

Nestled in a neighborhood of historic homes, the St. Helena Elementary School serves approximately 740 students - many of whom walk to school. The community of parents and neighbors is extremely active in the schools. During the restoration work, they provided volunteer artists to assist in the performing arts theater painting and repair to the stone and ceramic rosettes.

Quattrocchi Kwok Architects began the restoration work in 1996 with a Facilities Improvement Study for the school district`s three campuses. The 1931 elementary school had suffered from years of neglect. Maladies affecting the school included:

  • The finishes were badly worn and most of the electrical, mechanical, plumbing and roofing systems had exceeded their usable lives. Many of the windows, doors and cabinets were broken and in need of repair.
  • In a 1973 upgrade an unsightly suspended ceiling lowered the classroom and corridor spaces. This concealed many of the building`s tall wood windows and dramatically reduced the grandeur of the interior spaces.
  • The school`s theater also suffered from years of neglect, and the balcony was closed off to make a storage room. The ornamental proscenium and ceiling were also badly damaged.
  • The building`s layout had been altered over the years. The east entry was modified in the 1950`s with a mismatched covered walkway that did not align with the school`s grander main corridor.
  • As a public school, the building lacked amenities necessary for a school of the 21st century including data distribution for technology, adequate power, and appropriate and energy efficient lighting.

As a State and school district funded project, the restoration had a very challenging budget. After a lengthy school and community design process, priorities for the building`s improvements were established that aligned with the budget. Construction commenced in February 1999. In June an accidental fire devastated the 58,400 square foot school. The east wing was burned beyond repair with only the original concrete exterior walls remaining. The theater, administration and west classrooms suffered extensive smoke and heat damage rendering most of the finishes and all the electrical/ mechanical systems unsalvageable. As devastating as the fire was, the tragedy enabled the architects to restore the building to its original beauty.

All of the classrooms ceilings and mechanical ducts were damaged and removed. The classroom high ceilings were restored. New lighting and concealed mechanical systems were installed. New or restored wood trim and cabinetry was provided. The high windows were returned to their original beauty. Power and data systems were concealed and run throughout the classrooms to provide 21" century technology to this 1930`s building.

The theater underwent significant alterations; the original balcony was retuned. The restoration work included new stairs to the balcony, fixed seats on risers that matched the original house seating and new wrought iron balcony rails to match existing metal work. Other theater work included restoration of the fixed seating, new lighting systems, restoration of the detailed ceiling and proscenium painting, stage lighting/ rigging improvements and the addition of assisted listening devices.

The building`s lobby, heavily damaged by fire, was renovated. New lighting, floor tiles, wood trim and paint replaced the worn 1970`s carpet and rough sawn plywood wall finishes. The administration offices were altered to meet educational program needs and to repair damaged finishes. The corridor`s labyrinthine east entry was reconfigured to provide natural light and a clear and compelling path of travel. Toilet rooms were altered to meet American with Disabilities Act requirements while maintaining the original ceramic the finishes.

The exterior work provided a new paint scheme, paving/ landscape work and renovation to the two courtyards used by students and theatergoers.

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