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 The
heart of a community. Simplicity of form and material,
light, sustainability, wind aerodynamics, and logistics all
come together in the design of this significant community building
in Buckland, Alaska. The result is a striking, light-filled
multi-use facility that provides K-12 classrooms that are easily
configured for multiple activities, a library designed to support
community ceremonies such as weddings or  worship, and a cultural
center for social gathering and community activities such as
skin sewing and basketry making.
Built
for the environment. The building was carefully designed with
the Alaska environment in mind. The classrooms maximize the
penetrating rays of sun and provide views of the adjacent river,
a subsistence lifeline. The high room volumes help reduce the “shut-in” feeling
of the long winters while improving acoustics, and energy-efficient
lighting is used throughout the facility to ensure rooms are
light and bright.  And last but not least, the building was
carefully positioned with regard to primary wind direction
so as to minimize the resources needed to clear snowdrifts
from doorways and walks after major winter storms.
Flexibility by design. Every effort was made to
maximize the use of the building 365 days/year. The library,
computer room, distance learning room, Inupiat center, gym,
and cafeteria are directly accessible from the outside and
have a separate ventilation system.  This allows the classroom
areas to be secured with minimal ventilation when not in use – a
significant feature in an arctic coastal community where energy
costs are 3 times higher than Anchorage.
Ergonomic economics.
Our construction-phasing plan allowed the school to operate
continuously during construction.  By re-using the existing
structure (with upgrades to both exterior and interior finishes),
we were able to save precious budget dollars and reorganize
the school into a more efficient facility.
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Project: Buckland K-12 School
Use: Mixed (Educational / Cultural)
Owner: Northwest Arctic Borough School
District
New
Construction: 30,000 square feet
Remodel: 11,000 square
feet
Design Challenges: Year-round mixed
use in intense arctic weather |
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