Urban growth and decay within our communities presents both a major challenge and opportunity for architects today. We, as architects, should begin to approach design with a total life cycle assessment of our buildings. This proposed high school for the performing arts seeks an approach that is performance driven in nature in terms of quality and quantity; capable of housing its current programmatic needs as well as any future redevelopments. As a qualitative performance driven institution, the organization of the school seeks to emphasize the transition and transformation of students from learning, to rehearsal, and ultimately the big stage. The building also addresses environmental issues through quantitative performance driven by site-specific needs in its location of Phoenix, Arizona.2008-2009 Steel competition put on by the ACSA. Team members included 4 architects: Matthew Moran, Aramis Arciga, IDOLINA BENAVIDES, Paulina Mendoza; and 2 structural engineers: Christopher M Brazell and David Carmona.