Bishop O’Dowd High School

Oakland, CA

Established in 1951, Bishop O’Dowd High School is a Catholic college-preparatory school serving 1,250 students on its hilltop campus in the Toler Heights neighborhood of Oakland.

Studio Bondy led the design for a new arts and athletics center featuring state-of-the-art music and drama rehearsal spaces, expanded athletic training facilities, and multi-purpose learning and gathering spaces. A double gymnasium serves as the new home for Bishop O’Dowd’s championship-winning athletic teams.  It also provides an adaptable space to host community events and religious services, with a seating capacity to accommodate the entire student body and members of the broader Oakland Catholic community.

Designed to fit into a sloping site bound on all sides by existing buildings and athletic fields, the facility features expansive outdoor terraces overlooking the baseball field and running track, offering an enhanced spectator experience.

The project achieved LEED Silver certification by implementing a broad range of sustainable strategies. Abundant natural daylight and the use of low-emitting materials and finishes create a comfortable and healthy interior environment. Additionally, highly efficient building systems reduce energy consumption to less than half the industry standard, while an expansive rooftop photovoltaic array further improves building performance and reinforces the school’s commitment to sustainability.

Collaboration: Kevin Hart, Kevin Hart Architecture

Photography: Craig Cozart Photography; Victor Jurgens