Disney Imaginations 2017

1. Team Member
Participant #1
Participant #2
Participant #3
Participant #4
Major/ Minor Contribution
The Castle at St. Louis
Community is to be cherished. Diverse communities exist across the globe, and each of them
has aspects that make them unique and special. However, communities may exist today and be gone
tomorrow. People move and times change, shifting the landscapes of how people interact with one
another.
One community that has been left largely abandoned is St. Louis, Missouri. Wealthy residents
of the city started moving out in the 1950s, taking many businesses with them. This exodus has
caused the city population to decline drastically over the past 60 years, leaving nearly 6,000 buildings
abandoned. This abandonment greatly impacted the school systems, leaving over 20 schools
completely empty. However, within those schools that were left abandoned, there is a glimmer of
hope. There is one building that can start the trend of bringing these broken communities back
together: Grover Cleveland High School.
This school has the potential to glue a large portion of St. Louis back together, but not in its
current state. The building is in bad shape but can be returned to its former glory. It can be
transformed from a forgotten school back to “The Castle” as it was once known. The Castle can be a
place of community, learning, and tribute to the past. This building can also have a positive
environmental impact by not becoming pile of trash as well as utilizing efficient heating, air
conditioning, and lighting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The renovations will also keep looters
out of the surrounding community. As a community social and learning center with something to offer
to singles, families, as well as the young and old, The Castle can bring people together in a way that
St. Louis has never seen.
87C6AE
Team Leader, 3D Models, Layout, Research, Writing
Concept Art, Renderings, Slide Design
Research, Writing
Mechanical Engineering
Lighting Design-Drama
Materials Science and Engineering

2. © Disney
User/ Guest Experience
Story behind the design
Cleveland High School was built in 1915 and the architecture of the building was meant to give
children pride in their school. The young people who went to the school gave it the endearing name “The
Castle.” By the 1950s, Cleveland High School was the gem of the Dutchtown community of St.
Louis. Unfortunately, by 2006, the school had become abandoned and the surrounding community was no
longer known for its German immigrants who moved there in the early 19th century. The Castle connects the
current community members of Dutchtown with each other while paying tribute to its original heritage. The
Castle retains its original royal exterior and rich interior structure, but becomes something exciting yet familiar
on the inside. The inner spaces are modern but inspired by the original German heritage of the
community. The Castle is meant to instill pride in the community itself. This pride extends even into the
available classes. Classes often involve a social service component, including cooking for the homeless
and toymaking for poor children. The experience inside the Castle is designed largely based on the idea of a
modernized community space focused on inclusion and connection.
The Castle is built on experiences that bring people together. It is a space where community
members can find people to live and learn alongside. There are many experiences to choose from in
the Castle. This multi-level space of learning and exploration encourages inclusion of all types of
people and their interests through a diverse offering of classes and spaces that are accessible to
people of all mental and physical abilities. One can choose from experiencing the immersive theatre,
learning a new skill, breaking a sweat in the gym, or learning about The Castle’s history, among other
options. In addition to permanent spaces, events like movie nights, music performances, and art
exhibitions bring in the community and explore the talent of its members. The Castle utilizes
technology through a central app that allows people to learn about The Castle before visiting, register
for classes, check gym and group space capacity, access school archives, and order food. It will
also send reminders and discounts to engage people after they leave. The Castle brings out the best
in the surrounding community, encouraging them to create, share, and learn together. The
experiences within The Castle’s walls make it the heartbeat of Dutchtown.

3. © Disney
The Castle
Welcome to The Castle! Come join
in as a community, celebrating each
other and the influence that
Dutchtown has had on St. Louis.
The Castle is a beacon of inspiration
and hope that aims to reverse the
effects of abandonment in St. Louis
and bring people together in the
name of learning, collaboration, and
inclusion.

4. © Disney
Overview of Cleveland High School

5. © Disney
CHS Gymnasium
If you are down to break a sweat, you
and your children can come play in the
gym! (see on right) With a newly
renovated play structure , rock climbing
walls, and basketball court, it’s fun for
the whole family. Check our app to see if
the court or rock walls are open! You
can partake at your own pace or come
join a recreational sports league and
make some new friends! Hope to see you
on the court!
Sewing and
Knitting
Come and share in
share in nostalgia
nostalgia while
learning a new
skill in Room
2227!

6. © Disney
Schloss Restaurant and Brewery
What was once the cafeteria is now
the Schloss Restaurant and Brewery!
(see on left) Long tables with
community seating make it easy to
talk to friends and meet new ones.
Every weekend there is live music
performed by local musicians, and
you’ll want to stay for hours listening
and soaking up the ambiance. Schloss
takes inspiration from traditional
German taverns while maintaining a
family friendly atmosphere so all
members of the community can enjoy
the experience. This tech-forward
restaurant also includes app ordering
and wireless charging on the tables.
Our bar serves the best local beers on
tap and our service is the best
around!
RichHistoryat TheCastle
Originally a high school
predominantly for the Dutchtown
neighborhood of St. Louis, Grover
Cleveland High School is known to
alumni as “The Castle.” It was
designed in 1915 by William B. Ittner,
arguably the most prolific school
architect in U.S. history as well as a
native St. Louisan. The beautifully
designed structure takes on the
appearance of a grand brick castle. In
2006, due to lower attendance
numbers, Cleveland was forced to
close. Since then, it has remained a
beautiful, abandoned building. There
is more to the Castle than its beauty
and architectural history. Cleveland
High served as a home to its students.
The school gave people a sense of
pride and a feeling of belonging.
Students made memories that they
cherish to this day. The Castle will
continue inspiring generations to
come.

7. © Disney
Thank you for joining us on
your tour of The Castle!
We are always open for
you to come in and make
friends, learn, exercise,
explore, or relax.
We hope you had a great
time and feel closer to the
community all around you!
Cleveland High School Home Room
The Cleveland High School
Homeroom is a museum to
commemorate the students that once
called The Castle home. (see on right)
This room pays homage to the glory
days of The Castle as well as its time
in abandonment. It is made of the
work that dedicated alumni have
already created along with
memorabilia that was found or
donated. This includes trophies,
pictures, artwork, and uniforms,
among other items. The Home Room
also features an interactive touch
table that is modeled after a teacher’s
desk. It is an experience of itself and
is described in detail below.