Walter Payton College Preparatory High School

The design challenge for this high school was twofold: create an environment that would provide a highly competitive, technology-based college-preparatory curriculum; and develop a campus in an urban context where security and community issues were important considerations.
The solution created a completely “wired” school community of two distinct building blocks. They are linked by an enclosed atrium, or internal street, which serves as an interactive space during the school day and accommodates public functions after hours. The street paving of a blue, yellow and red terrazzo soundwave pattern is a symbolic reference to the school’s technology theme. The academic wing houses teaching functions, including 21 classrooms, 12 laboratories, a greenhouse, planetarium and weatherstation. The public wing contains administration, library, dining, auditorium and gym.
Raised computer flooring is used throughout to accommodate wiring, including computer access for every student. Low-maintenance, long-life building materials and mechanical/electrical systems are used in the steel-framed building, which has light brick cladding to blend with surrounding buildings.

Photographer for exterior shot: ©Karant + Associates

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