Designed for Community:

Willoughby-Eastlake Schools’ new building program presented an opportunity for a much-needed cultural shift within the district. The two district high schools that once formed Union High School developed a rivalry over the past decades, fueled by cultural and socioeconomic disparities within the communities. Uniting the two schools and their respective communities while providing equal educational and extracurricular opportunities for all students became a driving force behind the building’s programming.

The result was two high schools that promote student-centered learning and provide facilities supporting the surrounding communities’ active lifestyles. The new South and North High Schools were developed in tandem to offer residents access to a community fieldhouse with athletic courts, indoor track, and competition pool, as well as a Performing Arts Center with a reception space.

Instruction Informing Design:

The architecture of each wing mimics the type of learning taking place. The STEM Wing fosters instruction of innovation, discovery, and problem-solving. Spaces that support the practice of soft skills such as public speaking and critical thinking are central to the design of the Humanities Wing. The two-story Student Union provides a connection to the spaces, both academically and visually, where learning is blended and architectural elements, colors, and textures meet to create an inviting and engaging environment.

North High School embodies 21st-century learning principles and is integral to the district’s arts program. Each space supports different education methods, provides learning opportunities for students of all levels, and is essential to the district’s curricular program.