The new Olathe Innovation Center is a centralized campus that empowers students to engage in authentic, hands-on learning alongside industry professionals. Our design transforms a vacant call center into a dynamic hub for career and technical education that blurs the line between school and workplace. Locating the center along the I-35 corridor in Kansas enhances industry partnerships and streamlines access to real-world career pathways. Flexible lab environments support a broad spectrum of programs consolidated from multiple high schools within the district, while shared commons, conferencing spaces, and a student-run restaurant and coffee shop invite public interaction.

The campus supports specialized programs including culinary arts, health science, animal science, avionics and electronics technology, and adult transition services. A commercial kitchen, student-run restaurant, and public-facing coffee shop support culinary training, while new construction and electronics labs offer flexible environments for hands-on learning. An addition that houses the district’s new Operations Service Center creates a living lab where students in the construction pathway contribute directly to the maintenance and service of facilities district-wide. Other offerings include special education programs for adults aged 18–21, the district’s mental health services, and professional development spaces. Shared spaces and conference rooms are designed to host job fairs, interviews, and direct engagement with industry partners.