With a focus on creative, interdisciplinary and collaborative learning activities, Gann Academy’s Innovation Center includes a range of environments that support learning, research, multimedia exploration, and community engagement. This project was conceived as an opportunity to better align Gann’s 2003 school with contemporary pedagogy and its educational mission.

The Learning Commons is heart of the Innovation Center. New furniture and finishes transformed the Library into a vibrant hub for learning and engagement with dedicated areas for collaboration and project work, quiet individual work areas for focused study, and larger open areas for groups and classes. The entrance of the Learning Commons converts into a space for public forums and presentations, equipped with A/V technologies and amphitheater seating.

A Digital Media Lab supports digital photography and graphic design, as well as CAD and 3D design activities. A Prototyping Lab includes space for “clean” building, 3D printing and laser and vinyl cutters. A Fabrication Lab includes woodworking and metalworking machinery — both traditional and computer controlled. Our renovation also provides expanded space for Gann’s Robotics Lab.

The Academic Resource Center, located directly adjacent to the Learning Commons, houses Gann’s Learning Specialists and includes open spaces for group and individual work. Gann’s existing Art Studios are also integrated in the Innovation Center, encouraging interdisciplinary and innovative collaboration.

MDS was initially engaged by Gann to perform a planning study to explore options for adapting existing spaces to create this new hub. MDS provided full design and construction administration services for the 14,000 sf facility that opened in 2019.