This building is, in effect, an addition to the large, classically designed 1936 Spaulding High School. The new building had to be visually subordinate to the existing landmark while still presenting itself as an independent entity. This was accomplished by orienting the long, narrow vocational center so that its short face, the new entrance, is parallel to the front of the Spaulding building, with the two connected by a second level bridge. Materials used on the new building, such as a "slate" roof, Cane-Gonic brick, and granite banding and window sills, mirror those on the existing, as do the hipped roof planes and large columns at the entry. The success of the design in integrating old with new to create a unified project which successfully serves the needs of its occupants earned this building an AIA Honor Award soon after its completion.