An extreme makeover for experiential learning

Arlington Career Center

The Arlington Career Center (ACC) is a diverse and dynamic setting for contemporary learning that integrates rigorous academic and technical programs with a project-based model of instruction. Our team was tasked with a two-part problem—we needed to transform the public spaces and also create new learning spaces within the existing building. All of this had to happen within the summer break to avoid disturbing student learning and with a relatively small budget.

Our team did an in-depth analysis of the building and located several under-utilized spaces in the building—from those, we were able to create five new learning spaces as well as new student collaboration areas. With a multidisciplinary collaboration between architecture, interior design and graphic design, a cohesive package was developed that completely transformed the public spaces through graphics, furniture, painting and millwork at the career center.

Now complete, our work gives students and faculty an updated and renovated space to learn and thrive in.