ISD 622 passed a bond referendum in 2019 to update all of the districts’ facilities to accommodate projected enrollment, improve safety and security and create learning environments aligned with programmatic practices. At North High School, the referendum scope included a classroom addition to provide adequate space for 1,800 students, media center renovation, a secure entry and various maintenance projects including replacing a significant amount of the building’s facade.
Wold designed a three-story classroom addition including classrooms and labs to allow for all students to remain on-campus. These spaces surround flexible learning areas to provide environments for students to work individually or in small groups within close proximity to their classrooms, and the media center will be renovated to support its critical role within the building as a hub of learning and gathering, including small breakout spaces, a large presentation area, and a center for students doing online learning. The site was redesigned to better support vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns, with a separation between pick-up and drop-off and buses, and Wold worked closely with the district to ensure the designs provided equitable opportunities for students and staff between the district’s two high schools.