Explorative Pathways for Innovative Careers (EPIC)

Reintroducing natural ecosystems with a multi-use, community-based learning environment

Adapted from the site of a former car dealership, Littleton Public Schools’ EPIC Campus is a beacon for hands-on learning in a state-of-the-art environment. With ample classroom space outdoors as well as indoors, the school is designed to support firsthand experience to prepare students for careers spanning construction/aerospace trades, healthcare, and natural resource management.

A critical objective of the school’s design was to optimize the existing structures while designing for long-term flexibility. The COVID-19 pandemic limited in-person meetings during the early planning and design phases, so Cuningham facilitated virtual design workshops with an advisory group of over 60 students, staff, industry partners and community members to create a Shared Vision for the campus. The result was an exploratory, student-driven environment that solves real community issues with spaces that can transform into training and certification facilities, research labs for industry partners, and shared gathering spaces.

During the planning, design, and construction process, EPIC educators had the opportunity to develop relationships with top regional industry, higher education, environmental and other potential partners. Cuningham’s design helped inspire and implement key aspects of the resulting innovative curriculum. Classrooms and laboratories have top-of-the-line technology including heavy construction equipment simulators, fabricators, large scale printers, and a vertical touchscreen anatomical table. A construction yard is used for both training, as well as a means for students to address the emerging needs of the Littleton community with projects such as the construction of tiny homes.