Driven by HISD’s commitment to excellence, the new Sharpstown High School is at the forefront of 21st century and Sustainable school design. The new school is a two story building with a open, linear mall, connecting five educational neighborhoods. The neighborhoods are on each side of the central mall, and students constantly traverse the mall between classes, thereby creating an active, vibrant space. The Mall is not only used as a lobby and circulation space, but also as programmed pre-function and dining and seating spaces. Portions of the Learning Commons, Auditorium pre-function, and Dining Commons are programmed to be held in the Mall, ensuring that even during class periods, the Mall would be a dynamic, central space for the school.

Sharpstown High School represents an innovative school not only in program, but also in design. The construction budget was set by the School Board, but the program requirements increased after the budget was set. In order to meet the new programming requirements within the original budget, AUTOARCH was innovative in construction and design. Utilizing an attractive tilt-up wall design, we achieved the required square footages while creating a striking school that is a gem in the community – all within budget. The project was designed in collaboration with Munoz. 

For Sharpstown High School, the new High School building was designed and constructed in the parking lot and field location of the existing site, allowing the existing building to remain open and operational throughout the construction. Only when the students were able to occupy the new building, was the existing school demolished.