Planning for the Sanger West High School began with the development of a new 9-12 educational specification for the district. This year-long process included meetings with district board members, facilities and district administration staff, department heads, teachers, members of the community, and future students. The programming phase was completed in 2019 and the design of the high school was completed “from home” during the pandemic lockdown. This arrangement presented numerous challenges and some unique opportunities that resulted in a higher level of engagement with the client. Because the design team and District leaders were physically disconnected, weekly zoom meetings were held to discuss progress and ensure that the design intent developed in the educational specification was executed in keeping with the district’s vision for the new campus. The new campus design will cover 37.6 acres and includes 6 new buildings (a 3-story academic wing, 2-story academic wing, performing arts venue, athletic center, administration, and student union). The site was also master planned to include a future recreation gym, aquatics complex, CTE facilities, stadium, and district performing arts venue totaling over 78 acres of developed site upon completion.

A contemporary and high-tech design style was identified as a goal during the Ed Spec process. The District wanted a cutting-edge campus that elevated the standard high school model and created something that would inspire students and staff to achieve their best. Integrating the architecture of the new campus with the recently completed first phase of a master planned educational complex; a middle school located directly adjacent to the site of the high school; was also an important directive for the design team. A cascading pattern of light and dark fiber cement panel, vibrant blue metal panel, and a series of cool grey cement plaster colors tie the two campuses together. Large white MCM overhangs were introduced into the design language of the high school buildings to differentiate the 9-12 facilities from the existing middle school and create additional opportunities for sheltered outdoor learning space. The west-facing orientation of the main academic buildings presented a challenge to reduce heat gain in the hot summer months. The design team developed an extensive horizontal steel screen that will provide shade as well as an opportunity for graphic branding. A similar shading system was also utilized on the middle school campus, further unifying the architectural expression of the complex as a whole.

In addition to the core spaces required to execute the district’s educational program, the design team integrated a series of unique spaces that will expand the learning experience beyond the 4 walls of the classroom. Phase II main academic building is a massive 3-story volume that, contain most of the teaching stations for the campus. Interior circulation balconies provide views into a daylit 3-story collaboration zone at the core of the academic building. This space features a monumental learning stair that will serve as the physical and experiential hub of the academic life on campus. Transparency and activated corridors with modular furniture and discrete open meeting zones were incorporated throughout the academic buildings to allow for learning to “happen anywhere”.  Staff will also have access collaboration space through dedicated professional development centers located throughout the facilities.

The school also includes spaces that will support community functions and engagement. A large, covered plaza welcomes students and visitors to the site between the administration building and 3-Story academic center. The space was conceived as an outdoor lobby for the campus. A large flexible group instruction space is located directly off the plaza and provides a location for student exhibitions, presentations, and staff and community meetings.

Phase II buildings are the first to be arranged on the site to provide a safe and well-supervised campus core with single point of entry during school hours. There are 3 satellite administrative offices with views of the campus and surrounding area for supervision. The dining commons and library media center has been envisioned as a “student union” to host a myriad of functions including student learning, dining, collaboration, activities, and recreation. This building has been titled “the hive” in anticipation of the ongoing activity that will occur there. Design of this project exceeds Title 24 standards. The goal was to maximize natural lighting with properly oriented and properly shaded glazing to maintain energy efficiency.

This new high school project is a step forward for the district and sends a clear message about the exciting possibilities for the students of Sanger Unified.

Photography by: Ferrari Images