Career Center

INVISION Architecture

Recognitions: AIA Iowa 2020 Design Award

Project Description

The Career Center reimagines part of a 1970s era fortress-like high school into a modern center for Career and Technical Education. The 3500 sf addition provides a powerful new entrance to the building highlighting an educational program that invites students from local high schools and the surrounding communities. Weathered steel panels utilized on the interior and exterior, highlight the raw aesthetic of the overall project and differentiate the Career Center from the existing Middle School. The 77,000 sf interior renovation supports 15 career training programs in spaces ranging from high-bay labs to collaborative classrooms for cross-disciplinary education. Planning was based on an array of diverse programs such as Electrician training, Sustainable Construction, Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Nursing, and Culinary training. The spaces in the building are designed to be flexible to support program changes in alignment with community needs and student interests. The existing masonry facility offered very little natural daylight to the interior. Daylight strategies were deployed to bring natural light to the interior to further enhance the learning environment. The roof was raised in the central Main Street corridor to collect even, north light, and skylights were cut in above the Heart of the building, a new central stair. A variety of large, medium and small collaboration spaces are placed around this central stair to promote student autonomy and collaboration outside the classroom and serve as a vital connection between the two stories. Enlarged windows in the second floor classrooms double to provide additional daylighting and views. Interior glazing is utilized throughout the building to highlight the various learning environments while providing access to daylight.