Option 2: High Schools

Dead malls are being reintroduced into community life in new ways. Many ideas have been proposed and encourage the reuse instead of disposal of dead malls. Proposals have included the incorporation of post offices and daycare centers, to entire renovations that turn dead malls into churches, wellness centres, condos, and schools. An article in the New York Times said, “Vacant malls can house libraries or places of worship. Parking lots can be turned into green space.” Together designers can work alongside with developers, to not only reuse these large existing structures, but incorporate green building practices and resources into renovation efforts.
In order for these ideas to be carried out property value needs to be determined, according to Mark London, president and founder of mall consulting firm Mark London & Associates Inc. in Lake Bluff, Ill., “somebody has to be able to take the write-down in terms of property value. Another entrepreneur has to come along to buy it at that lower value and be able to invest in it at that lower basis.” For the original owner “to take that write-down and reinvest is almost a double-jeopardy kind of situation,” he says.

A particularly interesting venture is the conversion of dead malls into high schools. This venture is a practical and popular concept, because the combination of mall and school environmental elements can create a dynamic and flexible school atmosphere.

The open walking paths of a dead mall can serve as the hallways of a high school that would be flooded with natural light from the skylights. Trees planted amongst the mall would add that element of greenery not often seen in high schools. The large expanse of square footage would provide ample space for school functions and provide other decorative opportunities due to high ceilings. The food court area within a mall could serve as the cafeteria for the high school. Maintaining this element would give students a larger and healthier variety of lunch food to choose from.



Instead of students leaving school to go to the mall for lunch, the mall can come to them, therefore possibly lowering the number of absentee students after the lunch hour. Dead malls are often centralized within a community providing a high population of students. This centralized area could also reduce the number of school busses required, increasing a large number of student’s physical activity, while lowering fuel costs and emissions.
Turning a dying mall into a high school can open up the opportunity to incorporate green building practices. Such practices could include:

• Energy star lights and appliances.
  
  
• High tech controls that adjust or turn off fixtures or appliances depending on their current use.
  
  
• Non-polluting solar power that produces some of the school's electricity.
  


• Incorporating flooring materials, carpets, and many furnishings manufactured out of renewable or recycled materials and can be readily recycled when they have to be replaced.
  
  
• Circulating fresh air into the school mechanically (rooftop vents draw it into the heating ducts) and through the operable windows.
  
  
• Taking advantage of natural lighting creating a pleasant, healthy indoor environment.
  
  
• Adding exterior windows that can become airtight and keep heat inside during the winter.
  
  
• Using non-toxic paints, finishes, or polishes.

In conclusion, a dead mall can be seen as an opportunity or a nightmare. In this day and age with all the green building practices available, an old structure does not necessarily have to be torn down, but turned into something that is needed, such as a high school.