 Baltimore Design School is the first purpose-built public school in Baltimore City in decades, transforming an abandoned industrial building into a hub of creativity and education for Baltimore students. When the building was first constructed as the Crown Cork and Seal Factory in 1914, it was one of the first reinforced concrete structures in Baltimore. Its natural light, tall spaces and unique ventilation system all created an improved and more productive environment for factory workers. However, after the building was shuttered in 1985, the vacant property was a blight in the city's art district for more than a quarter century, until the need for a large, new school spurred Baltimore City public schools to think outside the box. School officials, along with the design team, collaborated with a non-profit board and a private developer to reinvent the factory as a facility that met school system standards, supported the school's mission, and aided community redevelopment. The ultimate design, open, light-filled, and full of historic and modern contrasts reflects the school's design thinking curriculum and stimulates the student's curiosity. A unique public-private funding plan using community tax credits and loans made the new $26.85 million facility possible and also helped transform a challenged neighborhood. From abandoned eyesore to state-of-the-art facility, the Baltimore Design School demonstrates the very best in sustainable practices and creative thinking.