VOL. XIII, NO. 8
FEBRUARY 25, 1972

Did You Know

MW Architecture Flexible
Thirteen years ago Maine West High School was nationally recognized in a school administration magazine. The original architecture with its flexibility has made Maine unique.

The proposed plan for Maine West was to have three high schools under one roof. Students would not have to leave a wing except for use of the cafeteria and auditorium, but duplicating equipment became too expensive.

The inside floor space of this school is about the same size as any other with the same enrollment. Maine's advantage is its flexibility. It is possible to open up just one wing, heat, light, and ventilate it.

Notice that the auditorium has no visible support. The entire auditorium and the cafeteria ceiling is supported by the hollow red pillar in the center of the cafeteria. This is in itself an architectural feat. The stress and weight is tremendous.
 The rest of the building is supported with the help of the pillars on the outside. Because of their importance to the building, the $10,000 used to sand blast and seal them was not a waste. In fact, the sealing of these pillars had decayed allowing moisture to enter and freeze.

This crumbled the cement of the pillars. There is much stress on the pillars and wings because with changing weather and soil, the wings themselves move up to six inches each. If you ever looked on the floor at the beginning of each wing the space between the wing and the rotunda is easily visible.

Check the rotunda side of the large study halls. Then notice as you enter the school that the main staircase floats and has no visible support. This technique is that of Frank Lloyd Wright, supplying an equal weight behind the wall.