In 2019, Greece Central School District—one of New York State’s largest—launched a comprehensive Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to modernize its facilities and better support the evolving needs of students and the community. A key component of this district-wide initiative was the transformation of Odyssey High School’s outdated library into a vibrant, future-ready learning hub.
Photographer: Shutts Productions
Client
Greece Central School District
Location
Rochester, NY
Total Project Cost
Part of a $76 M CIP
Project Type
Classrooms & STEAM Learning
Completed
2024
Size
3,500 sq. ft.
Services
Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Interior Design, Mechanical Engineering, Plumbing Engineering, Structural Design
Key Contact
Brian Trott
Spanning 3,500 sq. ft., the reimagined space prioritizes flexibility, technology and student engagement. To support diverse learning styles and activities, we integrated modular desks, wheeled furniture and built-in charging stations—empowering students and educators to effortlessly reconfigure the space for collaborative work, independent study or group instruction.
Additionally, enhanced lighting and strategically placed acoustic panels replaced the dim interior, cultivating a bright, inviting atmosphere designed to energize learning.
Recognizing the need for intuitive organization and improved accessibility, our K-12 practice team’s approach also included redesigning the library’s layout to optimize flow and function. Physical collections were thoughtfully relocated around the perimeter, maximizing visibility and opening the central area to create a versatile, multipurpose lounge suitable for quiet reading, flexible study or casual gatherings.
Adjacent to but equally important as the library is a dedicated makerspace equipped with specialized workstations, digital displays and audio-visual technology to fuel STEM activities, artistic exploration and hands-on creative projects. A movable partition enhances this space’s adaptability, seamlessly expanding into the library to accommodate larger projects, events and other collaborative endeavors.
Delivered as the fourth phase of the district’s CIP, this transformation embodies more than a modern high school library—it’s an investment in the future. The result is a versatile, technology-rich environment that empowers students to think critically, create boldly and collaborate seamlessly—preparing them to succeed in an ever-evolving world.
