KIPP Antioch Global High School is part of a master-planned campus designed by MZA to transform a long-vacant, two-story, 200,000 SF department store into a vibrant educational environment. This adaptive reuse project reimagined the existing structure to serve more than 1,200 middle and high school students, with a focus on natural light, safety, and flexible learning environments.

The design team faced the challenge of large, deep floor plates with little access to daylight, as well as portions of the building located below grade. To overcome this, existing escalator openings were transformed into north and south atria, each capped with skylights that draw daylight into the core of the building. These atria became circulation hubs, with classrooms, offices, and labs arranged around them to ensure every learning space has access to natural light. The south atrium anchors the school’s public functions - gymnasium, cafeteria/tornado shelter, and future auditorium - while the north atrium supports science labs, art studios, and collaborative learning zones.

The program also includes a secure staff parking garage, multipurpose commons, and athletic amenities, all integrated into the adaptive reuse footprint. A new entry courtyard announces the public face of the school, while site improvements added a regulation soccer field, landscaped circulation zones, and safer arrival points for cars and buses.

Throughout the project, cost-effective interventions were prioritized to stay within the fixed budget, while still delivering a safe, durable, and welcoming school environment. Interior glazing, layered circulation patterns, and flexible layouts create transparency and adaptability, supporting both academic and community use. The result is a joyful, light-filled campus that provides students with a secure, inspiring environment to learn, connect, and prepare for the future.