“If I had to describe the CCAT in one word it would probably be un-inviting.”

Last fall, all of Hackley School–K-12 gathered in the amphitheater for the new Center for Creative Arts and Technology to celebrate the grand opening of the radical new building. On that exciting day, this milestone seemed to reshape Hackley, but does the building actually deserve the immense praise it received on the Hilltop?

Looking back on the year, it is pretty clear that the CCAT did not fully become the collaborative and welcoming space it was advertised to be. Almost no students spend their free time in the building, favoring the respective lounges or the Johnson Center.

So, why do students not want to spend time in the CCAT?

Many students criticize the architectural structure and design of the building. “I think it was a cool idea with nice spaces but there really is no central area. When you walk in everything is kind of separated and blocked off,” said Courtney Morgner, “I think the CCAT needs more decoration, to brighten the area up it’s so boring.”

Freshman Bridget Frazier, shares similar critiques. “I don’t like how it looks like a hospital, it’s kinda scary and also because it is supposed to be a collaborative, school-wide space, it needs some color,” said Bridget.

Bridget also notes the fact that the CCAT is placed impractically on the campus. “I don’t like that it’s so far, it’s kind of out of the way and annoying to get to when you have a class there,” said Bridget.

Another freshman, Daniella Barrera also finds the building to be out of place. “It has a different aesthetic from the rest of the building kind of so it kind of throws you off,” said Daniella. 

She also notes the fact that students do not like to ‘hang out’ at the CCAT because of its lack of comfortable design. “Seating areas aren’t the best. The chairs are uncomfortable and most of the time, the only seating area in the whole building is taken up by an art show or some other event,” said Daniella.

While sharing the common critiques, Daniella also expresses a general fondness for the building, “I like the art studios and computer science rooms, they are really cool spaces.”

Although the CCAT has not yet revolutionized Hackley in its entirety, it would be unfair not to express the many successes of the facility. It is obviously a great addition to campus, opening the door to numerous creative environments and opportunities for Hackley.

“I like CCAT because it has so many different classes and possibilities,” said Bridget Frazier. 

“I like that the AP art room has little cubicles and Diller is always fun,” said Courtney Morgner.

The CCAT has only been a functioning space for about two years now and it still has much more time to grow. All criticisms about the building are completely valid; however, it is important to keep in mind that we have not even begun settling down and connecting with the space. Within a couple of years, the building will inevitably look very different from what it does now. Instead of just belittling the building, students and faculty should always be thinking about ways to enhance the CCAT and really help it become the space that it deserves to be.