Unlike any other high school facility in the city, the new North Central High School Institute of Science and Technology rivals many college lab facilities, and was driven by the District’s growing emphasis on studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The three-story, 40,000 square foot building contains six biology labs in addition to a third-floor lab for the institute, which offers high school students advanced courses in biomedical technology, biological solutions and genomic research. The design is purposefully reminiscent of university facilities and takes advantage of territorial views and substantial daylighting in the labs. Careful consideration was given to the relationship between this facility and the existing school through the use of masonry, the entry treatment and other details.