W.F. Kaynor Technical High School

The resulting project transformed this factory-like, 1950’s facility into a state-of-the-art technical school, redefining the image of the vocational high school. The nucleus of the transformed school is a new three-story academic wing with a full-height, skylight capped atrium designed to bring a greater sense of community to the school, while adding a vertical dynamic to what had been a sprawling one-story building.

An open stair winding up the side of the atrium makes a theatrical event out of regular classroom changes. The combination of the new vertical/radial classroom wing with the horizontal/linear organization of the shop wing provided a variety of spatial experiences that the school did not have previously.

While the old facility was built on a factory model which stressed job–related manufacturing and industrial skills with large shop areas and fewer academic spaces, the new program called for a well-balanced, academic, technical and vocational curriculum requiring additional classrooms, science labs and a digital media center.

The school enrollment has increased rapidly (to capacity) since its modernization and there is a wait list of students wishing to attend the school. A bold image for education in this urban community is also celebrated, enticing citizens to become consumers of the many student services offered within.

Sustainable design elements of the project included building orientation, reuse of existing site and portions of the structure, compact footprint and extensive daylighting which reduced the overall operating cost of the expanded facility.