The county's fourth public high school, to open in 2002, has taken a year to design and incorporates suggestions from teachers, business leaders and its principal. The new school, which voters in 1998 approved along with a new sales tax to pay for it, will emphasize vocational and technical programs. But it will be more than a shell for shop classes. Here's a look at some of its features. But it will use dramatic splashes of glass at the front entrance, in the library and at the lobby of the school's gymnasium to allow the sun's light in and man's light out.
Building codes demand a certain amount of light.
It tends to give people a sense of well-being that artificial light can't match. In the library, students will sit next to a massive semi-circular window that offers a panoramic view of the courtyard. All that light should help make reading easier. But Pehling says studies also have shown natural light makes people more productive. At night, Pehling says the windows will serve as a lantern.