Dr. Kirk Lewis Career & Technical High School

Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School (CTHS) was designed for a new wave of future-forward “makers” and hands-on students. Sitting on a 27.5 -acre site, its cutting edge amenities have helped to instill a new sense of pride in community while promoting the dignity of hard work.  

Each aspect of the school was designed to feel like a classroom in and of itself. The facility embraces the design principle of “Building as Teacher” with openly displayed operating systems so students can visualize and experience how the building operates. This means students in manufacturing, construction, and technology programs can learn from visible elements including air handling rooms, a glass elevator, and partially exposed ceilings that display the inner workings of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and structural systems.

Lab and classroom designs were directly informed by the school’s curriculums, created to support project-based learning through systems and equipment that encourage exploration. This was further expressed in the school graphics that celebrate the various programs offered. Flexible spaces throughout the building allow the school to function as both a passive and active multi-purpose center, highlighted by a scalable auditorium space with movable IDF glass walls and three-room partitions – allowing for easy conversion from theatre to eating area, or host space for any number of community events.  Additionally, the furniture was carefully selected to enhance the flexibility of all the areas.

Classrooms, learning devices, and broader district networks are all interconnected through wiring dispersed from MDF and IDF rooms via open cable trays, as well as a wireless overlay with coverage across the entire facility. Faculty members can instantly display information and videos about their programs throughout the school, presented on one of 40 monitors in the corridors and collaborative areas, short throw projectors in classrooms, or on 16 large screen video display walls inside the lobby and dining areas.