With its renovation, Shadle Park High School's international style of architecture has been carefully preserved and modestly reinterpreted. Library, Commons, and gym additions redefine the overall balance of masses without changing the original character. The energy-inefficient glass skin of the existing building was replaced with a new thermal-insulated glass curtainwall skin—faithful to the original window modules and grid patterns. Thus, Shadle Park High School retains its streamlined simplicity, affectionately known as the "glass palace."
A primary challenge was redefining Shadle's main entries that were located along a major arterial, creating a dangerous mixture of students and vehicular traffic. In response, the entry was repositioned on the opposite side of the building, signaled by a glass lighthouse that invites entry along a new promenade with grand views of the adjacent park. It leads visitors to the cultural heart of the school "the Commons" which also serves as a lobby for gymnasium and auditorium events. Interior spaces were completely renovated. Instructional areas organized around exterior courtyards were shifted to accommodate multiple educational delivery methods. The Commons, main office, food service, library and fitness/athletic spaces were reorganized to facilitate student activities and interaction while increasing space and convenience for public events.
