Los Angeles , California
Client: Rose and Alex Pilibos Armentian School
and the Western Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America
Lead Designers: Robert Mangurian, Mary-Ann Ray

Gymnasium, Library, and Campus Renovation:

15,000 Square Feet

Utilizes Economical Pre-Fabricated Metal Building System for Gym while integrating other materials and features such as Kal Wall, Storefront Aluminum System, and Large Pivot Doors

Program Elements:
Large Competition Gymnasium
Locker Rooms
Student Lounge
Bookstore
Library
Reading Nook
Library Terrace
Technology Classroom
Landscaped Outdoor Areas

This school design- an addition of a Library and a Gymnasium- for an Armenian community in Los Angeles celebrates ‘Armenian-ness’ at the same time, it updates a 1950’s depressing schoolyard into a 21st century environment for the K-12 students. The mandate of the new guard of Principal, Board, and Staff was to do just this- strengthen Armenian identity while giving the students the assurance that they are solid participants in the world-at-large. The library floats above the grounded gym, posing as a kind of Noah’s Ark in the Sky! The project held to an impressive $125.00 per square foot budget through the use of some prefabricated parts used in unique ways, and through simple materials used inventively. At twilight and into the night, the gym and the ‘boat in the air’ glow and emit the energy of the life inside.

Published: Architecture Magazine, LOTUS International, Cover of the Calendar Page of the Los Angeles Times