To support the burgeoning and widely successful art program at Independence HS, the District planned to renovate a 3,877-sf underutilized commons building, which consisted of offices and a central gathering space.
CAW Architects developed a creative solution that maintained the exterior building shell while completely reconstructing the interiors into 6 new art classrooms arranged around a central commons and gallery space. The program includes a ceramics lab, photography studio and darkroom, a digital arts space, and several visual arts studios.
Each room is outfitted with current technology and 21st century art studio furniture. Each room dynamically opens onto the central gallery with glass roll-up doors to fluidly connect the classrooms to the central space. This affords greater flexibility and between classrooms, accommodates casual small-group interactions, and augments faculty cross-collaboration.
