Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Historic Junior/Senior High School Re-Opens After Major Renovation

  • By Matt Jones
  • 06/13/22

Manzanola Junior/Senior High School in Manzanola, Colo., recently debuted a new campus addition and significant renovations to its original building, which was built in 1925. The 95-year-old structure was facing multiple issues related to the building’s age, including deferred maintenance issues, limited heating capabilities and housed asbestos, according to a news release.

 The addition’s design centers around a two-story media center near the west façade of the original structure. Learning spaces are organized into two wings that mirror the original design, creating a learning courtyard and extension of the media center. The addition also features new fifth-grade classrooms, new lab spaces, a gymnasium, locker rooms, administrative space and a reception area.

“We have such a bright and deserving student population and couldn’t be more excited for them to experience the new community campus,” said Superintendent Nancy Westfall of Manzanola School District 3J. “These reimagined spaces provide a collaborative learning environment and a safe, secure facility that honors our rural community’s long, rich history.”

Manzanola School District 3J partnered on the project with Wold Architects and Engineers, Nunn Construction and Vanir Construction Management. Wold helped the district land a Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant to help fund the project, which consolidates all district students into a single, secure facility.

“As a local firm, we are honored to work with the Manzanola School District to revitalize its new community campus and honor the original structure designed by [Temple] Buell,” said Josh Grenier, principal at Wold Architects and Engineers. “This campus supports a diverse student population that deserves a safe, enriching learning environment, and we are proud to play a role in bringing this important facility to life.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • A digital silhouette works at a computer, immersed in a glowing, interconnected world

    How Will AI Transform Learning Space Design?

    For years, higher education has designed learning spaces around technology as a tool for display, capture, collaboration, and connectivity. AI changes that equation.

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.

  • New City School

    Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Transforming New City School

    When New City School in St. Louis suffered catastrophic flood damage in July 2022, the event could have marked a serious setback for the 100-year-old institution. Instead, it became a forward-looking opportunity.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.