The Re-Opening of Philadelphia’s Murrell Dobbins CTE High School

The O Z Collaborative team worked with the School District of Philadelphia to provide full architectural services for a major $36 million renovation to Murrell Dobbins CTE High School. The school was one of the last designed by architect Irwin T. Catharine in 1937 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The renovation has established a priority of preservation and restoration of traditional design elements within the building.

The significant expansion of instructional spaces for career and technical education, with specialized designs for each CTE program, is a hallmark of Dobbins’ transformation. Providing for the school’s expanding CTE curriculum and 21st-century educational goals required the creative adaptation of existing spaces and building fabric.

Further renovations included: updates and modifications to classrooms in accordance with School District standards; extensive upgrades and replacement of select building systems; restoration and preservation of unique and historic characteristics of the building; and reorganization of administrative and other core educational spaces. 

A ceremony was held last November at the Murrell Dobbins CTE HS celebrating reopening the last wing of the high school after 3 years of intensive phased construction. OZC Principal Morris Zimmerman was proud to attend this significant event along with other public representatives, School District of Philadelphia OCP personnel, alumni, staff and teachers. Among the distinguished guests was former Senator Shirley Kitchen, whose relentless efforts steered this project into reality. Mayor Kenny, Council President Clarke and Council Member Gym, as well as State Representatives, including Rep Sharif Street, were also in attendance. They praised the work done by the Alumni Group, Superintendent Dr. Hite, and school staff with Principal Dr. Toni Damon for an outstanding renovation project. This updated CTE environment will assist the children of Philadelphia as they compete in the modern economy.

We at O Z Collaborative wish the students and staff of the school all the best as they use this facility for years to come.