Greater West Town Classrooms

Project Partner
Greater West Town Community Development Project

Project Mission
Expand learning capacity for woodworking and warehouse training programs to equip students with technical skills, confidence, and pathways to stable careers. 

As Greater West Town Project expands its workforce training programs, the need for dedicated learning environments has become critical. Located within an active warehouse and woodshop facility, this project introduces two new classrooms designed to support vocational education while maintaining proximity to hands-on training spaces.

The design transforms underutilized areas of the warehouse into flexible, focused learning environments that can accommodate both instructor-led teaching and collaborative work. Each classroom is sized for approximately 28–30 students and is equipped to support a range of activities, from job readiness instruction and small-group problem solving to computer-based industry training.

Design Adaptability
Rather than separating education from production, the project carefully negotiates the relationship between the classroom and the warehouse. Partial-height partitions allow the reuse of existing building systems while establishing a clear threshold between noisy industrial space and quieter learning environments. Acoustic treatments, strategic scheduling, and material choices work together to create conditions that support concentration and communication.

The classrooms are designed for adaptability. Mobile tables enable quick transitions between lecture, group work, and workshop formats. Walls double as teaching tools, incorporating whiteboards, pin-up surfaces, and integrated storage for materials and equipment. In Classroom B, a mobile laptop cart supports digital training in logistics and warehouse management, aligning the space with industry-specific skill building.

Architecture for Public Benefit Team
Chana Haouzi, Lev Ko, Jason Pion

Collaborators
Greater West Town Community Development Project