Dallas ISD Career North Institute Case Study

A vision of the Dallas school district brought to life, designed to spark innovation, and provide high school students a pathway to in-demand careers.

After an EF3 tornado ripped through Northwest Dallas in October of 2019, an estimated $1.5 billion in damages was left behind, naming it the costliest tornado event in Texas.

In its wake, Walnut Hill Elementary suffered substantial destruction, rendering most of the facility a total loss. Not only was a complete renovation needed, but also major structural repairs, full MEP replacements, and new roofing and windows.

Despite all this, Dallas ISD saw this as an opportunity. Instead of starting from scratch, the district aimed to transform what was left of the original site into Career Institute North – a state-of-the-art career and technical education (CTE) facility focused on training students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand occupations.

But this wasn’t by chance – it also aligned with the district’s vision of establishing four CTE locations for grades 9-12, with hands-on training led by industry partners and seasoned veterans in various fields.

From aviation, automotive technology, EMT, firefighting, and culinary arts to robotics, healthcare, software development, construction, architecture, and much more - each student will earn certifications and obtain dual credit when appropriate prior to graduation.

CI North is also centrally located in the district’s northern quadrant, serving five surrounding high schools: Hillcrest, Conrad, North Dallas, Thomas Jefferson, and W.T. White.

The original architectural design was incorporated into the new facility through thoughtful consideration. Seth Stevens, AIA, who led the site’s design team, worked with the district and community to reimagine the new facility and bring it up to next generation learning standards.

“The community wanted to keep the historic 1920s Mediterranean-style building and character,” Stevens noted. So, we worked that style into the new building with the use of similar material types and colors. This included the white color palette and terracotta wall panels, matching the old white stucco and terracotta roof panel building.”

Also, by preserving this history, costs and valuable resources were saved with respect for the environment.

The exterior of the building and several interior walls were retained, estimating approximately 5,200 tons of materials being diverted from the landfill. On the flip side of that calculation, the same number of “new” materials were not used on the project.

Working around existing building structures, several additions were added to support incoming students, including a three-story wing facing the City of Dallas Recreation Center at Midway, a two-story storm shelter on the south side of the existing building, and a one-story addition on the northwest side of the site. At total capacity, the campus accommodates 3,200 students.

Interior-wise, the district was inspired by the sleek, innovative Google and Apple campuses. While the design team infused the campus with metallic colors, softened with wood, and plenty of collaborative spaces, they were also tasked with the delicate process of how to blend the historic exterior and a new, clean-lined interior.

Maintaining certain design elements of the elementary school intact, such as the arched windows, front entry trellis details, terracotta tile roof, and stucco exterior, was key.

A reflective volume on both sides of the façade balances the asymmetrical site plan and enhances the new buildings, which are clad in terracotta panels that mirror the roof tiles.

A new space plan was also derived to add several dynamic and engaging gathering spaces. An enclosed courtyard and green space allow media to be projected onto the east exterior wall of the storm shelter during lunchtime.

Within the cafeteria, a row of clerestories captures the afternoon’s natural light, while suspended baffles and wooden ceiling details provide visual versatility and acoustic control.   

A dedicated drop-off and pick-up bus zone linked to an interior lounge inspired by modern ride share waiting rooms offer a functional place for faculty and students.

Improved circulation and stairways between floors and classrooms support project-based learning, such as labs with learning-on-display capabilities. Classrooms with connected control rooms offer one-way windows to observe and run simulations.

Several elements were incorporated to meet CHPS standards, or Collaborative for High-Performance Schools, such as landscape, interior and exterior lighting, HVAC systems, water usage, and more.

Much of the site’s landscaping was saved, helping to prevent further damage to the environment. The team conserved as many trees and green spaces as possible. Approximately 80 percent of the site’s plants are native to Texas, such as crepe myrtles, oak, magnolia, cedar, and various bushes.

The benefits of selecting a native landscape result in lower maintenance, reduced irrigation, and a more diverse ecosystem.

The 169,000-square-foot Career Institute North, which cost a total of $60 million to build and renovate, officially opened its doors August 2023.