Ottumwa Career Campus

DLR Group

Recognitions: K-12 Projects 2022

Project Description

As historic downtown Ottumwa, IA underwent a major revitalization project, Ottumwa Community School District saw it as a learning opportunity for students and a way to reinvigorate their bond to the community. To navigate the need to increase learning opportunities in high-demand career fields, the District purchased an empty historic building in downtown Ottumwa. Formerly a business incubator and food market, the District collaborated with stakeholders, educators, local businesses, and DLR Group to reimagine the former market as a new, innovative learning environment. This intentional collaboration with local businesses and organizations ensured that the programs would create connections between students and career opportunities to inspire ideas and career paths through real-life experiences in a flexible, adaptable environment. The district collaborated with DLR Group to create a fresh and unique incubator of ideas that enhances the educational experience of students. The approximately 11,000 square foot adaptive reuse space was renovated to support various career programs as well as District and community events. Organized around a centralized collaboration space, flexible learning studios connect visually and physically via overhead glass doors. A technology lab supports the District career pathways and shares the same connection to open collaboration spaces, allowing students to shift to environments that support their task at hand. Small group rooms offer students and staff right-sized spaces for focused work and team collaboration. A renovated Culinary Arts Lab provides a real-world environment. It serves as a pastry and coffee bar at the community space at the south end of the Career Campus. While operating as a student collaboration space during the day, the centralized area can transform to a District board room at night. “Expanding career opportunities for real life, real work learning not only in terms of college readiness, but immediate career readiness.” – Former Executive Director, Teaching and Learning