U.S. Department of Labor
New Hampshire Job Corps Center

MANCHESTER, NH

All students deserve the opportunity to develop the skills they need to become employable and independent — this belief is central to Job Corps’ mission. Our design approach for the New Hampshire Job Corps Center focused on creating a welcoming, cohesive environment with a high quality of space across all campus areas. From classrooms and vocational training facilities to the recreation center and residence halls, campus spaces are bright, energizing spaces.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Job Corps Program is an alternative, tuition‑free education and career technical training program serves economically disadvantaged students, ages 16-24, who may not have been engaged by traditional educational programs. Students spend an average of eight months on campus earning their high school diploma and/or developing career-ready skills. 

Job Corps’ program is administered on campuses across the U.S., and has a strong track record of placing students in meaningful jobs or further education. While most centers occupy old military bases or other repurposed facilities, creating a new campus from scratch in Manchester was an opportunity to rethink the Job Corps campus model and elevate the student experience. 

The 150,000 sf campus makes use of a steeply sloping, 25-acre site with extensive granite ledge. Seven buildings are centered on a common green, and are sited into the steep grade to preserve an intimate scale at the campus core. Influenced by regional building forms, the campus architecture draws from simple barn and industrial building typologies. Sloped roofs, sun shades, light monitors and extensive transparency are defining elements. Western red cedar, a highly resilient wood, unifies the campus.

Supporting an evolving curriculum that is linked with local business needs, classrooms and workshops are designed for flexibility and durability. Informal social areas knit together the educational and student life spaces and enhance the camaraderie of the student body.

The campus meets the Energy Star targets and performance goals set by the federal agency overseeing the project. High efficiency HVAC equipment, lighting and appliances were used exclusively, and high performance envelopes, solar shading, skylights and clerestories contribute to the green design strategies. Compared to baseline, the design reduces energy usage by 30%, reduces potable water usage by 20%, and enhances indoor environmental quality.