2007 AIA Michigan Design Honor Award

Cass Technical High School
Detroit, Michigan

Jury Comment:
“A very logical stacked school plan with interesting spaces that is nicely integrated with the street and neighborhood.”

Project Description:
The original High School was established in 1917 and quickly positioned itself as the “flagship” of its school district. It is a “magnet” school, open to all of the district’s students who pass a vigorous examination acceptance process. The existing structure had outlived its useful life as documented by the Architect in a complete facility assessment.  The decision was made to create a new learning center to carry on the wonderful traditions of the past but in a new, architecturally exciting environment.

The new school’s mass is articulated to emphasize its varied activities.  The academic, public, athletic, and performance spaces are all distinct pieces of the composition.  As a whole, the exterior materials are used to create an image of both the surrounding industrial history and to reflect the schools’ forward-thinking curriculum. The media center is emphasized and oriented on an adjacent park to follow the vocabulary set up by elements from historic neighbors on the park.

Interactive and Comprehensive Planning Process
Planning sessions with community members, teachers, staff, administrators and students were utilized as the vehicle for the development of a comprehensive program.  Facilitated by the design team, Vision Planning sessions were held with diverse user groups to explore ideas related to the new school. 

This process certainly influenced the learning environment with the inclusion of seven distinct Curriculum Pathways that surfaced through the sessions.  Upon entering this school, students will choose an area of concentration for all elective studies: Arts and Communication, Business and Marketing, Engineering and Manufacturing, Health Sciences, Human Services, Natural Resources/Agriscience, or Science and Arts.  Students entering the school for their first year explore courses in all of these pathways combined with a uniform core curriculum.  Students then choose one pathway during sophomore through senior year.

Challenges Faced / Resulting Solutions
Project challenges included: A tight urban site, lack of vitality in the surrounding neighborhood, an extremely accelerated schedule requiring 18 separate bid packages, site acquisition activities not finalized until after the Schematic Design Phase and a volatile construction bidding market.

To meet distinct program requirements and respond to a small urban site, the school is organized vertically on seven levels.  Curriculum Pathways are articulated to allow correct adjacencies to occur.  A collection of “Collaboration Stations” is strategically located to encourage interaction and form a “bridge of communication” between all pathways.  The school’s interior is characterized by an abundance of natural light, spectacular and inspirational views and a strong sense of order of circulation and curriculum spaces. 

During the planning process, numerous goals emerged that are manifested in the final product:

o         Express Heritage & Future of the School

o         Express Spirit of High Achievement & Collaboration

o         Express Unique Curriculum Pathways

o         Express History of Technical Excellence

o         Create a Building that is Timeless / Yet ‘of its Time’ with a Strong Sense of Place

o         Create an Urban Dialogue with the Neighborhood

o         Create a Building that is Welcoming & Safe

o         Maximize Natural Light & Ventilation

o         Maximize Energy Efficiency & Environmental Friendliness

o         Maximize After-Hour Function of Building

o         Utilize Locally Accepted Materials & Methods, in a Modular, Efficient & Lightweight Manner

The school features many significant highlights including a lofty and light filled media center, abundant natural light for the majority of instructional spaces, a dining commons on level 3, clear and direct circulation routes, an exterior dining terrace, rehearsal theater, dance recital studio and a harp studio.

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