Muskegon Area Career Tech Center | Muskegon, MI

The need: A state-of-the-art educational facility designed to house technical programs as diverse as horticulture, auto mechanics, culinary arts, and welding, while at the same time being a "green" building that conserved energy and was sensitive to the natural environment.

The solution: A stunning 60,000-square-foot facility in northeast Muskegon. The CTC functions as a hands-on "learning laboratory" where students learn on the job, as well as gaining a heightened awareness of energy conservation and environmental protection.

Heating and cooling are provided by a geothermal system that utilizes the natural heat of the earth, solar energy is captured by photovoltaic panels, and inside lighting is controlled by sensors that turn lights on and off automatically. Translucent panels near the roofline let in additional light.

Type: Technical vocational school
Size: 60,000 SF
Cost: $8 million

Completion: 2005
Scope: New construction