A New Era for K-12 Learning: Santa Monica High School’s State-of-the-Art Exploration Building and Gold Gym

A Campus Designed for the Future
When Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI) first broke ground on its new Exploration Building and Gold Gymnasium, it marked more than just the addition of modern facilities—it signified how far K-12 education has come in creating dynamic, future-ready learning environments. With cutting-edge spaces dedicated to arts, engineering, medical sciences, law, and athletics, this project sets a new benchmark for student-focused design.

The newly unveiled Exploration Building embodies the evolution of project-based learning, providing students with specialized spaces that encourage collaboration, creativity, and hands-on experience. From its expansive film and photography studios to its fully equipped darkroom and architectural design labs, the facility ensures that SAMOHI students have access to the latest tools and technology to hone their skills. Meanwhile, the Gold Gymnasium delivers an elite training ground for student-athletes, fostering school pride and performance at the highest level.

The Evolution of School Construction
The transformation of SAMOHI is part of a broader shift in K-12 construction, one that Kitchell has been at the forefront of since the late 1970s. At that time, schools faced skyrocketing costs, lengthy schedules, and quality concerns. In response, Kitchell introduced the construction management (CM) model to the public sector, launching its first major CM project with the Amphitheater School District in Tucson, Arizona. This innovative approach allowed schools to efficiently manage complex projects across multiple campuses, leading to higher-quality outcomes and better financial stewardship.

Building Schools That Build the Future
Today, those early CM principles remain at the heart of Kitchell’s work, ensuring that projects like SAMOHI’s new facilities are not just buildings, but carefully designed environments that empower students to succeed. The success of the Exploration Building and Gold Gymnasium—made possible through the support of Santa Monica voters and forward-thinking school leadership—underscores a continued commitment to reimagining learning spaces for the next generation.

As SAMOHI students step into these new spaces, they’re not just walking into classrooms; they’re stepping into the future. And Kitchell is proud to play a role in shaping that journey.

The Bold Move that Launched Kitchell Development Company

By 1953, Kitchell wasn’t just constructing buildings—it was constructing a future. Recognizing the inevitable ups and downs of the construction industry, founder Sam Kitchell made a game-changing decision: diversifying into real estate development. The experience building during the Korean War, coupled with economic fluctuations in the industry, reinforced the need for stability through counter-cyclical markets.

This foresight led to a partnership with Utah Construction and Mining Company, marking the beginning of Kitchell’s real estate development legacy. Their first major venture? A 100,000-square-foot office building in downtown Phoenix, developed and leased back to Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph (which later became CenturyLink). The success of this project propelled them to expand into Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they developed another office building.

But Kitchell didn’t just develop and build—it innovated. These projects incorporated a state-of-the-art construction technique: the lift-slab system. Instead of the traditional floor-by-floor approach, all concrete slabs were poured in the basement, then jacked up and welded to the steel columns. This pioneering method streamlined construction and set new efficiency benchmarks in the industry.

“We constructed what was then a Class A building for Mountain States for $8.50 per square foot and leased it to them for $1.10 per square foot per year, triple net,” Sam Kitchell recalled. It was a strategic and profitable move, proving that Kitchell’s approach to development was as smart as it was ambitious.

What started as a hedge against industry volatility became a defining force behind Kitchell’s long-term success. Today, Kitchell Development Company continues to shape communities, carrying forward the same spirit of innovation and calculated risk that laid its foundation decades ago.

How the Maricopa County Government Complex Launched Kitchell’s Enduring Collaboration with the Public Sector

For the last 75 years, Kitchell has played a vital role in shaping Arizona’s built environment. One of its most defining projects was the construction of the Maricopa County Government Complex in the early 1960s—a transformative development that centralized county services, modernized infrastructure, and set a new standard for public buildings in Arizona. Today, Kitchell continues to collaborate with Maricopa County, reinforcing a long-standing partnership built on trust, innovation, and excellence.

A Vision for Progress
In May 1961, Maricopa County voters overwhelmingly approved an $11 million bond to construct a state-of-the-art government complex in downtown Phoenix. The goal was to replace aging, scattered facilities with a modern, efficient hub for county operations. The two-block site between Jefferson and Madison Streets, First and Third Avenues, was selected as the foundation for this ambitious project.

Kitchell, already recognized for its expertise and commitment to quality, was awarded the contract. The firm was tasked with bringing the vision to life—on time and within budget.

Building for the Future
Ground was broken on December 20, 1962, and the project was officially completed in December 1964. The complex included four distinct buildings, designed to integrate seamlessly into a unified governmental center:

The Six-Story Administration Building – A 130,000-square-foot facility consolidating key departments like the Board of Supervisors, County Manager, Elections, Planning & Zoning, and the Treasurer’s Office.

The Nine-Story Superior Court Building – Housing 13 superior courtrooms, a law library, and offices for the County Attorney and Clerk of the Superior Court.

The Four-Story Sheriff’s Office and Jail – A 94,000-square-foot, maximum-security facility designed for efficiency and safety, including an underground tunnel to securely transfer prisoners to courtrooms.

The Supervisors’ Auditorium – A uniquely designed 5,500-square-foot structure with a six-vaulted shell roof, offering seating for 252 people and serving as a public meeting space for county hearings.

Innovation and Engineering Excellence
Kitchell’s approach to the project incorporated cutting-edge construction techniques to maximize durability, efficiency, and long-term usability. The precast concrete wall panels (totaling 200,000 square feet) helped create a uniform, modern aesthetic while ensuring structural integrity.

To handle the scale of the project, construction required:

  • 3,410 tons of reinforcing and structural steel
  • 23,000 cubic yards of concrete
  • 140 miles of electrical wiring
  • 1,400 tons of air conditioning systems

By the time the complex opened in January 1965, it was the most advanced governmental facility in the state, designed to meet Maricopa County’s needs for decades to come.

A Partnership That Endures
The Maricopa County Governmental Complex was more than just a project—it’s success led to Kitchell’s long-standing collaboration with Arizona’s public sector. This effort laid the foundation for future government developments and reinforced Kitchell’s reputation as a leader in complex, large-scale public sector construction.

Kitchell’s legacy of delivering transformative projects continues, shaping the communities where we live and work. The Maricopa County Government Complex remains a cornerstone of that legacy, a project that not only met the needs of its time but helped define the future of government facilities in Arizona and beyond. And with Kitchell still working alongside Maricopa County today, that tradition of excellence continues.

Early Years and the Shift from Survival to Specialization

In business, as in life, the true test of resilience often comes early. For Kitchell, that test arrived just six months after its founding. In June 1950, the outbreak of the Korean War brought civilian construction to a near standstill. Faced with an uncertain future, the young firm pivoted quickly, securing small military contracts in Arizona to stay afloat. But the real turning point came in early 1951 with a bold move that would set the stage for Kitchell’s future as a leader in complex projects.

The Camp Irwin Breakthrough
Opportunity came in the form of a $900,000 contract to rehabilitate the Tank Training Command at Camp Irwin in the Mojave Desert of California. The magnitude of the project was unlike anything Kitchell had undertaken before. The project ultimately doubled in size to nearly $2 million, providing the firm with not only financial stability but also critical experience in managing large, multifaceted projects. By the time the war ended in 1953, Kitchell had grown in both reputation and capability, well-positioned for the economic boom that followed.

Pioneering Complex Work
As Arizona’s population surged and private sector construction took off, Kitchell looked beyond conventional building projects. The firm sought out opportunities in specialized construction—projects that required innovative problem-solving and technical expertise. This strategic shift led to several landmark projects that would define Kitchell’s trajectory.

In 1952, Kitchell entered the advanced technology sector with the construction of the AiResearch production test facility, which developed gas turbine and aircraft components. The company also built Arizona’s first high-tech facility for Motorola Research Laboratory, pioneering the use of concrete tilt-up slab walls. That project marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship, with Kitchell ultimately completing 18 projects for Motorola. This work laid the foundation for decades of leadership in high-tech construction, serving clients from Intel to NASA across Arizona, California, and Mexico.

Early Motorola Research facility in Phoenix, Arizona.

Building Local Landmarks
Kitchell’s ability to tackle complex projects extended beyond high-tech facilities. Kitchell’s early years also saw the firm venture into large-scale retail with the construction of Park Central Mall—the first regional shopping center in Arizona. At the time, Phoenix’s northern boundary was Central Avenue and Thomas Road, and air conditioning was still a luxury. The mall’s advertising boasted the “miracle” of 11 air-conditioned stores, a selling point that underscored how much the region was evolving. Kitchell would return to Park Central in the 1960s and again in the 1980s, leading expansions and renovations that mirrored Phoenix’s own rapid growth.

Postcard for Park Central Mall.

A Legacy of Innovation and Adaptability
What began as a fight for survival with the outbreak of the Korean War in the early 1950s quickly became a blueprint for long-term success. By embracing complex projects and investing in emerging markets, Kitchell didn’t just weather the challenges of its early years—it transformed into a company known for tackling the most sophisticated building challenges. That spirit of adaptability and forward-thinking continues to define Kitchell today, proving that the right pivots at the right time can turn obstacles into opportunities.

25 Years of Collaboration with Hugo Rivera

Hugo Rivera’s 25-year journey with Kitchell began in Mexico and has taken him across multiple operating companies, contributing to impactful projects and building strong relationships along the way. In his words, Kitchell is “a company that thrives because of its collaborative efforts.”

Hugo’s dedication, adaptability, and passion for teamwork embody the values that have driven Kitchell’s success for 75 years.

Founding Kitchell: A Journey Westward to Opportunity

It was one of those quintessential spring days in Phoenix, Arizona—early March 1948. The sun gleamed in a vibrant blue sky, and the air carried the sweet scent of orange blossoms. To Sam and Betty Kitchell, a young couple driving west in search of opportunity, Phoenix looked far more inviting than the snowdrifts they’d left behind in Newbury, Massachusetts.

For Sam, the move westward was a defining moment, but it was Betty who planted the seed. “Our third child, Jon, had just been born, and the oldest wasn’t even three yet,” Sam recalled years later. “Betty looked up from her hospital bed and said, ‘Since I’m going to be raising a family and you want to be in construction, let’s get out of New England!’”

Sam and Betty Kitchell in the 1940’s

Sam, a World War II Navy veteran and Amherst College graduate, was ready for a fresh start. After serving as the skipper of a sub-chaser, he worked at a prefab housing company that went bankrupt. At 27, he was eager to move forward—and westward.

Initially, Phoenix was just a stopover on their way to California, but the city’s economy and sunshine proved irresistible. Locals welcomed the Kitchells with open arms, even if some quipped, “Too bad you didn’t come right after the war when things were really booming!” Despite that sentiment, the Valley of the Sun was still growing. Between 1940 and 1950, the population had surged by 75 percent, and the 1950s were set to double that growth.

Sam landed a job writing specifications and supervising construction projects for architect Ed Varney. Within a year, he was back in his preferred field as an estimator for J.R. Porter, a local building contractor.

Sam Kitchell (farthest right) and Jim Phillips (second from the right)

But Sam’s entrepreneurial spirit truly took flight in late 1949, when Navy veteran and Harvard Business School graduate James B. Phillips offered to loan him $10,000 to start a construction company. On January 18, 1950, Kitchell-Phillips Contractors, Inc. was born in a modest two-room office above a steel fabricator south of downtown Phoenix.

Kitchell’s first office

Sam ran operations and estimating, Jim handled finances, and Betty took on the role of unpaid secretary. For three months, the fledgling company had no income—until they secured their first competitive bid: a Safeway supermarket.

Kitchell’s first project – a Safeway store in Phoenix, Arizona

That first year, the company built its foundation on relationships, securing school projects in Pinal County and additional Safeway stores. The focus on client relationships became a cornerstone of Kitchell’s long-term success. By year’s end, Kitchell-Phillips had posted $800,000 in sales and a $12,000 profit—a modest return, but an impressive 60-percent return on investment.

Challenges came quickly. Six months after founding the company, the Korean War halted civilian construction. Pivoting to military projects, Kitchell-Phillips won a $900,000 contract to rehabilitate the Tank Training Command at Camp Irwin in California. “The bid had 365 unit prices,” Sam recalled. “I handed it in, caught my breath, and heard someone say, ‘The lucky guy getting this job doesn’t know it’s just the tip of the iceberg.’”

The Camp Irwin project doubled in size during construction, reaching nearly $2 million. It kept Kitchell-Phillips busy into 1952 and solidified the company’s resilience and resourcefulness.

What began with a leap of faith, a borrowed $10,000, and a shared vision between Sam, Betty, and Jim grew into a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and success. Today, Kitchell stands as a testament to their determination and the spirit of opportunity that brought them west all those years ago.

Opening Up: Removing Barriers, Creating Space for Collaboration

Collaboration drives our success. From the vision of our founder, Sam Kitchell, we’ve consistently embraced challenges with innovation.

This story looks at a recent project at CommonSpirit Health’s corporate center that exemplified this spirit. Initially planned as a basic refresh, the project shifted to include a large conference center for national events. During demolition, three structural columns were discovered in the center of the planned space, obstructing the client’s vision for an open, expansive meeting hall.

Removing these columns without compromising structural integrity became the challenge—on a tight timeline. Kitchell’s team of engineers, architects, consultants, and builders united to devise a solution: transferring the building’s load to newly installed structural steel transfer beams. This complex feat required precision, ingenuity, and seamless teamwork to deliver within an extremely tight timeline.

The team executed the plan flawlessly, removing the columns and completing the conference center just in time for its first event. The result? A stunning, functional space that exceeded expectations.

“The client was thrilled with our collaborative approach and ability to deliver the seemingly impossible,” said KCI Project Manager Matt Kirch. “This is what Kitchell does best: we step up, work together, and get it done.”