Diamond Bar High School

Walnut Valley Unified School District

Empty modern classroom with white tables, black swivel chairs, and large windows in the background.

K-12 EDUCATION

Building 400 Classroom and Media Modernization

Project Overview

Walnut Valley Unified School District partnered with SGH Architects to reimagine Diamond Bar High School’s Building 400 and its Library Information Center. Once a dark, 30-year-old, 34,000-square-foot building originally designed for science classrooms, the facility was outdated and no longer aligned with the school’s evolving academic needs. The district’s goal was to modernize the space into a dynamic hub for Language Arts and Humanities instruction, while simultaneously transforming the existing library into a 21st-century Technology–Library–Career Center.

Location
Diamond Bar, California

Services Provided
Full Architectural Services

Principal in charge
Scott griffith, AIA

Size
34,000 SF

A modern classroom with white desks, black chairs, a large flat-screen TV on the wall, and a colorful geometric mural in purple, orange, white, and gray on the back wall. There are large windows on the left and a purple door.

Collaboration and Planning

Over the course of several months, SGH Architects worked closely with district leaders, staff, and various committees to develop a comprehensive design approach. Through workshops and planning sessions, the design team carefully balanced educational priorities, operational needs, and architectural solutions.

This collaborative process ensured the final design not only addressed current requirements but also anticipated the evolving role of technology, flexible learning, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in the future.

Empty banquet hall with round tables covered with purple tablecloths, gray chairs, modern ceiling lights, and colorful wall accents.

Design Solutions

The revitalization of Building 400 focused on transforming a once narrow, dimly lit facility into a vibrant, open learning environment. By incorporating Solatube technology, daylight is now brought deep into the building, creating bright collaboration spaces on both the ground and second floors.

These shared spaces not only serve as hubs for group learning but also allow classrooms to “borrow” natural light, softening the environment and enhancing the overall sense of connection throughout the building.

Empty classroom with multiple tables and chairs, whiteboard, large display screen, and colorful posters on the walls.

A spacious event room with round tables covered in purple and black tablecloths, gray chairs, large windows with purple accents, modern ceiling lighting, and a gray carpeted floor.

Indoor lobby with a reception desk, purple and orange geometric wall, potted plants, and a purple double door entry.

Empty meeting room with a table and six chairs, large windows, purple doors, and a gray cabinet.

A hospital or public restroom with purple, white, and red tiled walls, a white toilet in the corner, a small sink with soap and hand sanitizer, a mirror, a paper towel dispenser, and a black trash bin.

Empty modern classroom or conference room with white tables, black chairs on wheels, a large screen on the wall, purple and yellow geometric wall art, purple door, and windows with a view into another room.

Event space with round tables covered in purple tablecloths and gray chairs, modern lighting, and geometric wall designs.

Empty classroom with tables, chairs, and educational posters on the wall, including an American flag.

Empty classroom or meeting room with white tables and black office chairs, mounted TV, and geometric wall art in purple, yellow, gray, and white.

Empty classroom with desks, chairs, a large screen at the front, and educational decorations on the walls.

A Modern Learning Environment

The reimagined Building 400 and LINC embody the District’s vision for education in the 21st century - flexible, collaborative, and technology-rich. What was once an underutilized and dated facility is now a centerpiece of Diamond Bar High School, supporting student creativity, critical thinking, and career readiness.

SGH Architects’ design has transformed the campus into a brighter, more inspiring place to learn and grow, ensuring its relevance for decades to come.

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