William D. Ford Career-Technical Center

Narratives

Architect Narrative

This is a unique Technical Center that offers students the opportunity to participate in a variety of technical programs. Students can choose from a series of 23 different programs ranging from Accounting to Welding Technology. Since its opening in 1981, the school has provided Michigan with over 15,000 highly skilled workers!

The design of the new facility incorporated a number of exemplary ideas that contribute to learning opportunities for students. Firstly, each work area is designed to simulate a “real world” working environment. For example, program areas include the specialized equipment and machinery that would be available in today’s workplace. The design also provides students with a feeling and idea of what their working environments will be like. Not only does the facility accommodate current technology, but also it provides the necessary infrastructure to allow for future program expansion.

In order to fulfill the district’s dream of creating a state-of-the-art technical center, careful planning and programming was needed. Several innovative techniques were used to gather information to help support the planning, programming and design process. Prior to schematic design of the facility, the architect conducted a series of interviews with the school’s instructors to gain an understanding of their programs. Numerous group meetings were held to learn about the relationships between programs and consultants were brought in to provide the architects with vital information regarding current trends in the various technology fields.

The building was enhanced by the expansion of the technical training labs as well as 28,400 s.f. of new construction. Newly constructed spaces include a high tech lecture hall, media production room and graphics arts studio. Additionally, over 85,000 s.f. of existing space was remodeled to provide the school district with a modern and progressive facility.

One of the unique areas of the school is the high tech lecture hall. The lecture hall features sloped stepped rows with continuous task tables. Each seat provides students with data and internet access. The lecture hall also integrates distance-learning technology with two-way audio and visual connections for worldwide teleconferencing capabilities. The lecture hall was also designed to provide local corporations with a venue to hold various corporate functions.

The school’s Industrial Arts Program was also expanded. It includes a CAD/CAM lab that is designed to provide training for students and corporations.