A NEW SPACE
For Opportunities
Our post-production magic shows off the hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities now available to students at YouthBuild Philly’s new home.
““Show, don’t tell” is an essential mindset for photography, particularly in multi-use spaces. A bit of post-production editing combines frames to create final images that buzz with activity.”
Gleaming new floors are pretty to look at, but it’s hard to visualize the end use of this multi-level common space without people around.
While removing people from photos can sometimes help eliminate visual distractions, photographing a school in use highlights the practical results of thoughtful design details. YouthBuild provides academic courses and individualized holistic support in addition to vocational training, so it was important to show off the quieter, more intimate settings as well.
Including students in the photo draws attention to the many collaborative settings available in the new spaceWhile field trips and site visits are fun, an on-site kitchen lets culinary arts students practice and improve their skills more regularly.The new home of YouthBuild Philly Charter School was designed to provide hands-on learning opportunities and dedicated spaces across the school’s many disciplines, so we directed our photoshoot with that goal in mind. Like a similar renovation at the University of Pennsylvania, the design revamped a spacious older structure to build communal areas that encourage both collaborative learning and informal interaction.
This renovation not only gave new life to a nearly hundred-year-old building but has also provided a home for students’ potential to shine.
A solar panel would be hard to fit into a traditional classroom setup. Now, aspiring technicians can gain firsthand experience with the tools and equipment they’ll eventually use on the job.
Spacious new classrooms create dedicated spaces for all of YouthBuild’s services, such as the career exploration and application course taught here.
Originally built in 1930 for use by the Philadelphia Electric Company, the building is a fitting new home for construction students learning about green infrastructure.