Worcester Career & Technology Center

Newark, Maryland

Firm

BSA+A/Buck Simpers Architect + Associates, Inc.

Client

Worcester County Public Schools

Area

140,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$20,000,000

Completion Date

09/2008

The new Worcester Tech design addresses two conflicting goals—preparing students for post-high school jobs and for post-secondary education. The design reinforces the connection between vocational skills and academic learning. Courses encourage community use as the students prepare for their careers. Industry representatives visit the school to help teach and train students. The media center distance-learning lab and cafetorium are situated to promote community use.
The planning process included the concurrent undertaking of the educational specs and schemic design, involving on-site faculty interviews, visits to other facilities, visioning exercises, design charettes and community meetings. The layout accommodates three groupings of program areas, creating clusters for health and human services, information technology, and trades and industry. It also reinforces the relationship between vocational and academic learning.
The exterior responds to the many traditions of the county, and celebrates the technology and learning within the facility. It reinforces the connections between school and community. The design links Worcester County’s past with its bright future.