West Charlotte High School
Replacing an aging facility, the new design consolidates programs that were previously scattered across 15 aging campus buildings to provide a welcoming 21st century learning environment.
DISTRICT Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
CAPACITY 2,400 Students
LOCATION Charlotte, NC
COMPLETED 2022
SIZE 325,000 SF
PHOTOGRAPHER Matt Silk
AWARDS A4LE North Carolina
Engaging the Community
Community engagement in this close-knit but historically underserved area was integral to the design. After a series of meetings with students, faculty, alumni, and the community at large, it was apparent that the community of West Charlotte embraced the school as a symbol of local history and culture and an immense source of pride. The new school will honor the original campus with carefully considered gathering areas, connections to the outdoors, and monumental elements such the courtyard, theater, and “omni” multiuse space which exhibit a sense of time-honored usage and grandeur.
Design Details
High-impact experiential graphics throughout the building will honor the history and culture of the campus and celebrate diversity among the students and faculty. The entry highlights a timeline of historic events in this predominantly Black community dating back to 1954. Their new omni space will serve as both a lunch room and an after-hours community event space. The dining area features flags from all over the world representing the diverse student body. A large lion wall graphic in the cafeteria highlights school pride, and in the corridor connecting the auditorium and natatorium, display cases will preserve artifacts from the existing campus.
