Challenge
For years, the front entry of Central Catholic High School was a modest doorway that failed to express the energy, history, and pride of the Mustangs community. The school wanted something more than a weather canopy; they wanted a renewed sense of identity. They envisioned an arrival experience that would welcome students, parents, and visitors with the same spirit and purpose that defines the institution itself.
Transforming this entry into a bold campus landmark became the heart of the project challenge. The new canopy needed to be vibrant and architectural, yet still deeply respectful of the existing building’s character. It had to feel like it had always belonged there while offering something unmistakably new.
The resulting design strikes that balance with grace. Anchored by two existing structural columns ingeniously adapted and repurposed to support a much larger and more expressive steel form. The canopy solves an architectural puzzle with both economy and elegance. Preserving these columns wasn’t just a cost-saving strategy; it became an opportunity to stitch the new structure back into the school’s architectural DNA, grounding the addition in the campus’ long history.
Above, the canopy arcs upward in sweeping steel curves that introduce a sense of motion and lightness, creating a dramatic threshold that feels both protective and uplifting. Exposed steel framing celebrates the craft of construction and gives the structure an honesty that resonates with the school’s identity. Illuminated signage and the Central Catholic holy cross stand proudly at the forefront, transforming the entrance into a beacon that is equally striking during the day and after sunset.
Bold Mustang blue and yellow tie everything together—color, structure, light, and symbol, creating an entry that is unmistakably Central Catholic. What was once an understated door is now a celebrated gateway, a gathering place, and a daily reminder of the school’s faith, pride, and community.
The project’s success lies not in its scale, but in its clarity of purpose: to create a simple, joyful, and memorable front door for a school that deserves to be seen.
CLIENT
Central Catholic High School/ St Patrick’s Academy High School
What we did
Architectural Design
Staff Assigned
Ryan Smith
