Welcome to Our Innovative Creative Spaces (pictures towards the bottom)

In the Applied Arts Neighborhood, creativity and innovation is always encouraged!

At the heart of our Applied Arts program is a community where every New Trier student is empowered to be their authentic self. Our innovative creative spaces are designed to inspire, engage, and support you as you explore your passions and bring your ideas to life.  Our teachers and students pride themselves in creating unique, creative lab/studio environments that are welcoming, different, and push the envelope of learning.  Most of all we believe in the joy of learning and that our spaces are the third teacher (student, teacher, space)!

Explore Our Cutting-Edge Labs

Innovative Center for Engineering: Dive into engineering with state-of-the-art tools, including 3D printers, laser cutters, coding stations, and aquaponics systems. Master skills in 3D CAD software, molding, and soldering while exploring new technologies and sustainable practices.

Design Sandbox: Collaborate and create in our architecture and design space, featuring CAD computers, prototyping, modeling, printing, drawing areas, and collaborative spaces dedicated to interior and urban design.

Production Studio: Utilize laser cutters, 3D printers, and access our material database and claim area for rapid prototyping and creative exploration.

Hack and Viz Lab: Experiment with high-tech manufacturing equipment in a versatile space for geometry, robotics, and construction.

CNC Room: Use our CNC machines for precise cutting and carving, perfect for detailed engineering and design work.

Project Playground: Build and prototype large-scale projects in our expansive outdoor area, complete with a Tool Shed stocked with every hand tool you could need.

Transportation Lab: Explore automotive technology and work on electric vehicle go-karts in our dedicated space for transportation innovations.

Fabrication Lab: Craft wood with large and small power tools, hand tools, a finishing station, paint booth, and more in our fully equipped woodshop.

Welding Room: Develop your metalworking skills in a specialized space for welding and structural fabrication.

Culinary Court: Cook and collaborate in our kitchen studio, featuring a wall of ovens, every appliance you can think of, and a collaborative island designed to promote durable skills and teamwork. Create, test, and perfect your recipes in a space equipped for all your culinary needs.

The Sett: Our Applied Arts home base, where planning, collaboration, and community building come together.

Join Our Community

In the Applied Arts Neighborhood, you’re not just part of a program—you’re part of a community that values each individual’s unique contributions. Here, we come together to create, make, solve, build, analyze, grow, and inspire as we explore new horizons and drive future innovation with the hope that we are building curiosity, durable skills and a better world.  

You are always welcome to stop in to say hello, enroll in a course, and/or join a club.