Max Scott Culinary Arts Center pg. 5
Outdoor Culinary Area at Rio del Sol K-8 STEAM Academy pg. 15
Rialto Culinary Arts Center pg. 21
Mountain View High School Zoo Crew Career Technical Center pg. 25
Rialto Design & Engineering Facility pg. 29
San Lorenzo BADA pg. 33
Rubidoux AV Production pg. 39
Flabob Air Academy pg. 43
Norton Space & Aeronautics Academy pg. 45
Career Technology Education (CTE) opens doors for students, providing them with flexible, hands-on opportunities to explore diverse career pathways and the essential skills needed to succeed in their chosen fields. Designed to mirror industry standards and practices, CTE creates a dynamic learning environment where theory meets practical application, empowering students to thrive in real-world settings.
A4E’s journey in CTE design began over 30 years ago with the development of the Pomona Vocational Center. Since then, we have actively contributed to numerous campus projects that prioritize foundational career training. Beyond just creating state-of-the-art facilities, A4E has successfully assisted multiple district clients in securing state funding, ensuring that these vital programs continue to flourish and support the next generation of skilled professionals.
Nestled at the heart of the Boys Republic campus, the Max Scott Culinary Arts Center beautifully merges a cutting-edge professional teaching kitchen with the timeless Arts and Crafts style of the restored Dining Hall, originally designed by architect Myron Hunt in 1926. This remarkable project addresses two key challenges: restoring the Dining Facility to honor Hunt’s vision of tradition and craftsmanship, while seamlessly integrating the new Production Kitchen, Bistro, and Teaching Kitchen within the existing structure.
The addition of the Bistro and Teaching Kitchen embodies these principles through its minimalist “glass box” design, prioritizing functionality and horizontal lines. A thoughtfully applied frit pattern on the glazing not only provides shading and reduces heat gain but also features a motif of falling leaves, celebrating nature as an essential element of the design. This new construction harmonizes with the historic campus, all while embodying an identity that meets the needs of 21st-century learning.
RESTORATION + INNOVATION
HISTORIC MYRON HUNT BUILDING
21st CENTURY LEARNING
FUNCTIONAL DESIGN
NATURE AS ORNAMENT
RESTORATION + INNOVATION
The new addition maximizes economy through a flexible design serving multiple purposes by allowing the Bistro to function for dining, board meetings, events and as a classroom.
THE KITCHEN USED TO BE A DISTRACTION FROM DAILY LIFE. NOW IT’S A WAY OF THINKING AND BEING.
- Boys Republic Students
The design of the teaching kitchen provides multiple workstations for learning, including a prep station to learn principles of mise-en-place or demonstrations of knife skills, an island suite for cooking, and a chef’s table to learn plating skills and study in small groups.
Nestled alongside the Santa Clara River on ancient Chumash lands, the school boasts an innovative outdoor culinary area as part of the “River of Knowledge”—a winding path designed to enrich students’ learning experiences. This vibrant culinary space promotes hands-on exploration in food science, nutrition, and sustainable practices, embodying the Chumash principles of creativity, culture, and caring. It serves as a dynamic hub for crossgrade collaboration, empowering students to work together and cultivate essential life skills.
The culinary center is outfitted with cutting-edge kitchen tools and outdoor cooking stations, creating a seamless indoor/outdoor learning experience. Beyond serving as a classroom, this versatile space hosts community events and cultural activities, reinforcing its vital role within the school. Surrounded by makerspaces dedicated to various disciplines, the culinary area is an integral part of the educational ecosystem at Rio Del Sol, ensuring that all students have equal access to specialized tools and immersive learning opportunities.
MY STUDENTS GIVE THEMSELVES PERMISSION TO RESEARCH, BUILD, DESIGN, CREATE, AND EXPERIMENT FREELY IN THE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACES...THE ENTIRE CAMPUS IS THEIR LEARNING PLAYGROUND.
- Camille Izvarin M.S., 3rd Grade Learning Guide, Rio del Sol School
Rialto Unified School District | Rialto, CA
The Culinary Academy is a groundbreaking fusion of a fully operational District Kitchen, which provides nutritious meals for students, and a modern cooking school dedicated to culinary excellence. This state-of-the-art facility features dynamic culinary stations, baking operations, versatile classroom spaces, and a demonstration kitchen designed to inspire creativity and skill development.
Every piece of equipment in the academy is “real world,” thoughtfully selected in collaboration with industry partners to ensure relevance and practicality. Spanning 11,600 square feet, this impressive Culinary Arts Facility was constructed at a cost of approximately $5 million, with $2 million funded by California CTE State Funding Grants specifically for cutting-edge equipment. The kitchen laboratory is designed to maximize flexibility in the learning experience, allowing culinary students to thrive. The demonstration kitchen serves as a showcase where chefs and instructors can expertly demonstrate techniques for students to replicate in the working kitchen, bridging the gap between theory and hands-on practice.
All culinary equipment is professional-grade, informed by industry partners who consulted directly with our client and design team.
El Monte Union High School District | El Monte, CA
The Mountain View High School Zoo Crew Career Technical Center (CTE) seamlessly blends nature and engineering to establish three vibrant “real world” zones focused on manufacturing, fabrication, and technology. This innovative space prepares students for a wide array of career opportunities while integrating essential core academic subjects.
The design of the new Zoo Crew facility fosters learning environments that inspire collaboration and exploration, drawing from the rich geographical and engineering elements of the local area. Guided by the Zoo Crew’s mission to cultivate problem solvers and environmental stewards, the design concept embodies the synergy between nature and engineering. Just as the East and West Forks converge to form the San Gabriel River, this space flows through various engineering zones—featuring dams, metro stations, highways, and an airfield—culminating at Mountain View High School. The river then transforms into an urban waterway, eventually meandering toward the ocean. This dynamic concept of “Engineering in Motion” is woven throughout the architectural design, creating an engaging and interactive learning experience for all students.
In collaboration with our client’s community-based Career Technologies Planning Committee, A4E crafted a visionary Master Plan to transform a closed middle school campus into a modern Career Technical Education (CTE) Center. As we developed the detailed Master Plan, we also created educational specifications and prototypical layouts for the flagship programs: the Culinary Arts Academy and the Design/Engineering Academy. Our efforts were pivotal in helping Rialto USD secure an unprecedented two CTE grants from the State, marking a significant milestone for this landmark project.
The Design/Engineering Facility revitalized an existing 3,870-square-foot building, converting it into two expansive Teaching Labs and two Lecture Classrooms where students explore the principles of engineering, programming, and design. The renovation design features an open ceiling that showcases the stunning barrel-vaulted roof structure, while large coiling doors seamlessly connect the indoor spaces to adjacent patios. Additionally, we introduced vertical circulation to access a previously unused mezzanine, enhancing the overall learning experience and fostering an innovative educational environment.
A4E’S STRENGTH LIES IN THE FACT THAT THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH STAFF DURING THE EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATION PHASE OF A PROJECT.
- Anna Ulibarri
Director Facilities Planning, RUSD
San Lorenzo Unified School District | San Lorenzo, CA
Phase II of the San Lorenzo USD improvement projects builds upon the Small Learning Communities (SLC) concept established during Phase I, further enhancing the educational experience at each high school. A standout component of this initiative is the Bay Area Digital Arts Academy (BADA), which immerses students in industry-standard video, recording, and television production through hands-on learning experiences. In this contemporary and professional environment, BADA students have the opportunity to explore their vocational passions and hone their creative skills.
With A4E’s guidance, San Lorenzo USD successfully qualified for and secured maximum funding for this transformative project through the State’s CTE Grant Program. The new digital arts and media studio will be a unique facility designed to meet California Career Technical Education and Industry Standards, providing an exceptional learning space. By fostering strong connections with industry partners, the program not only enhances real-world relevance but also cultivates a vibrant community for the passionate, media-savvy student population.
WE HAVE BEEN VERY IMPRESSED BY A4E’S CREATIVITY IN HONORING THE EXISTING FACILITIES WHILE PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATE PIZZAZZ TO THE NEW FACILITIES AND RENOVATIONS.
- Lowell Shira Assistant Superintendent, SLUSD
Informed by industry professionals and popular with students from the outset, the learning environment at the BADA provides a dynamic television / recording / digital arts SLC on the San Lorenzo HS campus.
Jurupa Unified School District | Jurupa Valley, CA
The modernization project at Rubidoux High School unfolded in two dynamic phases over five years, guided by A4E’s innovative design direction. This transformative approach transitioned the campus from a traditional comprehensive high school to a thriving network of Small Learning Communities (SLCs), each accommodating around 400 students. These SLCs foster real-world connections with partners from local hospitals, organizations, and businesses, alongside collaborations with Riverside Community College and the University of California, Riverside.
As part of this modernization, the Rubidoux HS Audio-Visual Production Classrooms were revitalized by repurposing two 1950s classrooms into a cutting-edge production studio. The new space features a green screen, a media classroom, a news desk, and a control booth, all designed with cost-effective elements like exposed ceilings, a pipe grid, and accessible technology. This modern setup not only enhances the learning experience but also empowers students to engage with the world of media production in a professional setting.
Thomas W. Wathen Academy | Riverside, CA
The Wathen Education Center for Aviation Studies and Entrepreneurship offers students an exciting pathway to pursue their passion for aviation through a dynamic and specialized educational program. This innovative center blends technical training with academic excellence, equipping students for higher education while also providing entrepreneurial opportunities linked to the surrounding business park and airport operations.
Bridging the gap between tradition and innovation, the Center harmoniously integrates college and high school learning experiences with business, educational, and cultural facilities. As it develops in phases, the Center will feature dedicated high school learning environments for 400 students, an engaging museum that includes a library with an extensive collection of aviation-related texts, and a spacious multipurpose hangar. Additional amenities will encompass conference facilities and a fitness center accessible to both students and airport patrons, fostering a vibrant community hub for all.
The Norton Space and Aeronautics Academy is a pioneering K-12 school dedicated to providing a rigorous academic program infused with local expertise and rich history. Situated next to the historic Norton Air Force Base, the academy builds upon the successful Lewis Center Educational Research philosophy, creating a vibrant learning environment that inspires students to reach for the stars.
Norton Academy has revitalized the existing Mill School Campus, originally opened in the early 1900s to serve the local African-American community. In 1941, the campus welcomed Dorothy Ingram as its first African-American principal and teacher in California, who passionately advocated for transforming the one-room schoolhouse into a modern educational facility. A4E’s campus master plan honors Dorothy Ingram’s vision by establishing a nurturing space that teaches, encourages, and supports students. The 14-acre urban site is thoughtfully designed with grade clusters surrounding semi-private courtyards, fostering collaboration and community. Additionally, partnerships with local businesses provide hands-on educational programs in manufacturing and design labs, while joint-use playfields, a library, and a gymnasium are shared with San Bernardino City and County, enhancing the academy’s role as a hub for learning and growth.
