Inter-District Downtown School

Clark's structural engineers worked with the Minneapolis Public Schools and Cuningham Group Architects to construct one of the most innovative urban schools in the Midwest. Constructed over an underground parking ramp, the 5-story school serves as an inter-district magnet program for 9 school districts. Located in the Hennepin Theatre District, the downtown location encourages student internships and teaching partnerships with the adjacent University of St. Thomas School of Education.

The structural system is a post-tensioned concrete slab and concrete columns. The main stairs were designed to "cantilever" over Hennepin Avenue.

Because the parking ramp was already in planning by another design group when the Clark/Cuningham team began work, Clark's engineers had to rapidly calculate the school's column loads for the ramp's engineers. The hybrid nature of this project typifies Clark's ability to collaborate with architects and other design teams to meet project schedule and budget goals.