North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics discovery center

Durham, north carolina

The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, part of the UNC system, is the nation’s first public residential high school focused on science, technology, engineering and math. The new Discovery Center respects the character of the existing campus by translating those traditions into forms and materials relevant for today. The design also establishes an architectural precedent for future projects at the school.

The building’s interior and exterior spaces encourage social interaction to generate a strong sense of community, identity and social cohesiveness. Flexible spaces anticipate multiple uses and the constant change that accompanies student population growth, changing methods of learning and teaching, and the evolution of technology. Ecological design features transform the campus landscape into a teaching tool that models strategies and systems to ensure a sustainable future.