In Gulf Shores, a city on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, a new $137 million high school broke ground in late April and is expected to open in the fall of 2026.
Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities. The school will include state-of-the-art academic labs specializing in biomedical, marine biology, culinary arts, and finance, as well as spaces for music production, broadcasting, and the arts.
The school’s collaborative spaces include widened hallways, a media center with a maker space and video production studio, and a courtyard with “learning stairs” for interaction. The design also serves Gulf Shores City Schools’ emphasis on inclusivity and diversity of learning styles, with adaptable learning spaces and flexible classroom designs.
A notable feature of the new school is a “flex suite,” a versatile area that can accommodate groups of varying sizes, with seamless transitions between various activities. Similarly, the main hallway’s “sandbar” offers students a space to connect academically and socially.
The school’s Dolphin athletics center will be equipped with competition-size gymnasiums, locker rooms, athletic training rooms, a weight room, and a full-length covered practice facility.
Drawing on the coastal surroundings, the design features vibrant blue tones and other details that evoke the Gulf’s shoreline. Tall windows and expansive glass panels provide natural light and create an energizing learning atmosphere.
“The collective dedication of our educators, passionate community members, and forward-thinking leaders has shaped the vision for our new Gulf Shores High School,” Kevin Corcoran, Gulf Shores City Schools board of education president, said in a statement. “This school will be a hub of innovation, a center for excellence, and shape the future for generations to come.”
On the Building Team:
Owners: Gulf Shores City Schools and The City of Gulf Shores
Architect of record: Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Design architects: DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood
MEP engineer: DLR Group
Structural engineer: Tucker-Jones Engineers Associates
Interior designer, civil engineer, landscape architect: Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Interior designer, theatrical designer, lighting and acoustical engineer: DLR Group
Program manager: Volkert, Inc.
General contractor: Rabren General Contractors
![Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Gulf%20Shores%20High%20School%20Ext%2001%20-%20Main%20Entrance_Design%20by%20DLR%20Group%20%26%20Goodwyn%20Mills%20Cawood.png)
![Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Gulf%20Shores%20High%20School%20Ext%2002%20-%20Media%20Corner_Design%20by%20DLR%20Group%20%26%20Goodwyn%20Mills%20Cawood.png)
![Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Gulf%20Shores%20High%20School%20Ext%2004%20-%20Athletics_Design%20by%20DLR%20Group%20%26%20Goodwyn%20Mills%20Cawood.png)
![Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Gulf%20Shores%20High%20School%20Int%2001%20-%20Great%20Hall_Design%20by%20DLR%20Group%20%26%20Goodwyn%20Mills%20Cawood.png)
![Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Gulf%20Shores%20High%20School%20Int%2003%20-%20Media%20Center_Design%20by%20DLR%20Group%20%26%20Goodwyn%20Mills%20Cawood.png)
![Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Gulf%20Shores%20High%20School%20Int%2004%20-%20Bio-Med_Design%20by%20DLR%20Group%20%26%20Goodwyn%20Mills%20Cawood.png)
![Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Gulf%20Shores%20High%20School%20Int%2007%20-%20Athletics%20Lobby_Design%20by%20DLR%20Group%20%26%20Goodwyn%20Mills%20Cawood.png)
![Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Gulf%20Shores%20High%20School%20Int%2008%20-%20Competitive%20Gym_Design%20by%20DLR%20Group%20%26%20Goodwyn%20Mills%20Cawood.png)
![Designed by DLR Group and Goodwyn Mills Cawood, the 287,000-sf Gulf Shores High School will offer cutting-edge facilities and hands-on learning opportunities.](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Gulf%20Shores%20High%20School%20Int%2009%20-%20Weight%20Room_Design%20by%20DLR%20Group%20%26%20Goodwyn%20Mills%20Cawood.png)
Related Stories
| Jan 28, 2014
White Paper: How metal buildings deliver long-term value to schools
A new white paper from Star Building Systems outlines the benefits of metal buildings for public and private school building projects.
| Jan 28, 2014
16 awe-inspiring interior designs from around the world [slideshow]
The International Interior Design Association released the winners of its 4th Annual Global Excellence Awards. Here's a recap of the winning projects.
| Jan 15, 2014
Report: 32 U.S. buildings have been verified as net-zero energy performers
The New Buildings Institute's 2014 Getting to Zero Status report includes an interactive map detailing the net-zero energy buildings that have been verified by NBI.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
| Jan 13, 2014
AEC professionals weigh in on school security
An exclusive survey reveals that Building Teams are doing their part to make the nation’s schools safer in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
| Jan 10, 2014
What the states should do to prevent more school shootings
To tell the truth, I didn’t want to write about the terrible events of December 14, 2012, when 20 children and six adults were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. I figured other media would provide ample coverage, and anything we did would look cheap or inappropriate. But two things turned me around.
| Jan 10, 2014
Special Report: K-12 school security in the wake of Sandy Hook
BD+C's exclusive five-part report on K-12 school security offers proven design advice, technology recommendations, and thoughtful commentary on how Building Teams can help school districts prevent, or at least mitigate, a Sandy Hook on their turf.
| Jan 9, 2014
How security in schools applies to other building types
Many of the principles and concepts described in our Special Report on K-12 security also apply to other building types and markets.
| Jan 9, 2014
16 recommendations on security technology to take to your K-12 clients
From facial recognition cameras to IP-based door hardware, here are key technology-related considerations you should discuss with your school district clients.