The Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Fort Worth ISD’s first single-gender school, features a college-preparatory curriculum and offers a focus in science, technology, and mathematics. The new facilities adapt to and renovate an existing four-story building in downtown Fort Worth allowing the middle-school program to add a full grade each year until a full 6-12 program is developed. Working with key stakeholders, four core themes were developed: Community (Library, Cafeteria, Commons, Administration), Fitness (Physical Education, Music Arts), Technology (Digital Animation), and Science (BioChemical Engineering). To give distinct identity to each floor, themes will be integrated into the branding of every floor. A graphic wall will feature a large image and quote from a prominent woman who represents the central theme of that level.

Each level features a centrally located activity space surrounded by support spaces on the perimeter. The activity spaces are on full display through glass walls. This visibility energizes and highlights the hands-on programs of the Academy. The historic building’s exterior details are preserved and influence the raw industrial nature of the interior. Influenced by the Academy’s motto, “Girls Excelling in Math and Science” (GEMS), jewel colors where used on each level to accent entries and collaboration niches. The jewels relate to each academic year of a student’s progression and culminate in scholar’s “diamond” senior year.

Completed while at Perkins+Will, Patrick Glenn served as the Managing Principal, Educational Programmer and Planner while Aaron Ewert served as the Project Designer working on all stages of schematic design through construction.