The 45’ high, media center is the heart of the learning environment and occupies a prominent location above the 6th floor at the north end of the academic wing. While the size of the building is similar to other buildings on Cass Park, its mass is broken down to emphasize its varied activities. The academic, public, athletic, and performance spaces are all distinct pieces of Cass Tech. Additionally, the media center is emphasized and oriented on Cass Park in a way that follows the vocabulary set up by elements of two of the school's neighbors on the park, Masonic Temple and the Kresge Building.

The exterior envelope of the new Cass Technical High School also complements its neighbors, as well as emphasizes the school's role as a leading edge institution. The brick precast panels are similar to the many surrounding brick buildings, but give the facade a cleaner, more engineered quality. The brick precast panels are lightened by large expanses of glass and by a lighter, metal structure. The glass has been tinted and shaded to cut down the solar heat gain and reduce the demands placed on the mechanical systems. The exterior materials utilized create an image of both Detroit’s industrial history and the school’s progressive and innovative curriculum.

TYJT was the engineer of record and was responsible for civil/site, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering on the project.

Civil/Site Design: The civil engineering aspects of the project included street closures, vacation of existing utilities, design of new storm drainage and sanitary sewers, water service for domestic and fire demands, geometric design of access drives and parking lots, detailed site grading design and preparation of documents for construction.

Structural Design: The structural engineering aspects of the project included a system which was primarily structural steel construction consisting of moment connection and vertical bracing for lateral support. A metal roof deck diaphragm system was used for roof construction. The sub-structure consisted of a conventional spread footing and combined footing with associated perimeter grade beam.

Mechanical Design: The mechanical system of the project included the design of five 258 ton chillers for cooling, and two 200hp fire tube boilers for winter heating, and three 50hp boilers for summer heating. Reduction in energy consumption was enhanced through variable speed drives on all fans and pumps. The HVAC energy efficiency was achieved by incorporating full economized control utilizing outdoor air for cooling during mild weather for the fourteen air handling units

Electrical Design: The lighting design offered optimal comfort and maximum energy savings. The light level-based control for the exterior lighting ensured safety and security when required. All classrooms are provided with pendent indirect lighting fixtures with elegant profile and precise wide spread optics, which minimize the shadows. Electrical power panels, transformers, and equipment were selected in an integrated switchboard to provide space savings in the electrical rooms on each floor.

Energy efficiencies in the electrical systems were achieved through the lighting systems design. This design provided day lighting energy savings, occupancy sensors and photocell sensors with dimming controls to continuously control the lighting levels for both the exterior and interior lights.

Status of Project:
Completed and Under Operation – Since September 2005