CLIENT
Houston ISD

BUILDING AREA
52,211 SF

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
RDLR designed HISD’s North Houston Early College High School (NHECHS) for high achieving students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. This project consisted of a new 59,211 sf replacement high school for 400 students. Located on the Houston Community College Northline campus, students of NHECHS take college level courses as well as high school classes and can graduate from high school with an associate degree. The school is designed to provide a unique and distinctive character while remaining compatible and sympathetic to HCC’s campus standards.

The new facility provides an interactive learning environment with varied spaces ranging from flexible classrooms to outdoor classrooms, and common areas. Core academic spaces are located on the second and third floors of the building. Learning centers were arranged around a series of commons and niches providing much needed impromptu casual teaching/learning environments. Particular attention was made to creating learning centers with vision glass and natural light. Additionally, administrative offices and teacher workrooms are centrally located to encourage teacher, administration, and student interaction. Moveable walls allow faculty to combine learning centers for project-based learning.

The heart of the building is the multi-purpose commons located on the ground floor. This space is envisioned as a café style environment adjacent to the food service facility. Adjacent to the multi-purpose commons is the multi-purpose room for college counseling. Designed for LEED certification, the school’s environmental systems and energy conserving strategies are evident in design elements and finish selections.