Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering

Fuqua & Partners Architects partnered with Perkins+Will on the new Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering. The Alabama Cyber School of Technology & Engineering (ASCTE) is the only high school in the nation to incorporate engineering and cyber technology into all of their academic disciplines. The new campus consists of two buildings: a three floor academic building for learning collaboration, and administration and a residential building for housing both students and faculty along with providing areas for student life cultivation. The two buildings work with the crafted landscape to enclose a lawn that will be host to both athletic and student life activities. The goal for the academic building is to foster an open learning environment through participation and observation. The liberal use of interior glazing allowed for the opening of all classroom and collaboration spaces to the grand atrium. One’s eye is led through the entirety of the atrium with the use of recessed lighting fixtures along the wood ceiling baffles. Connected by bridges and a grand stair, the atrium floors are visible from all levels, presenting opportunities for creative assignments and demonstrations. The dorm building’s function was to provide a secure and quiet home away from home for the students who would be living on campus. Each room provides the basic amenities of beds and bathrooms with daylighting and views to the rapidly growing urbanscape. The basement consists of the multipurpose dining room, kitchen, salon and gym. Apart from the kitchen, these spaces combine to form an ICC500 rated tornado shelter.