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

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

  • Vanderbilt to Partner with ABM for Campus Preservation and Modernization

    Vanderbilt University recently announced that it has selected ABM Performance Solutions for a preservation and modernization project at its New York City campus, according to a news release. ABM will deliver its end-to-end ABM Performance Solutions (APS) model to manage critical operations during renovation and maintenance.

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).

  • 144-Year-Old High-School Campus Debuts New Academic Facility

    San Diego High School (SDHS) in San Diego, Calif., recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new student services and classroom building; the project is part of a larger SDHS Whole Site Modernization project that began in 2022.