Natrona County High School
Natrona county high school
Casper, Wyoming
Client
Natrona County School District
size
Renovation: 134,000 sf New: 139,000 sf
year
2018
Awards
2019, Learning By Design, Educational Facilities Design Awards, Honorable Mention
2018, Engineering News-Record (ENR), Best Projects Renovation/Restoration, Merit Award
Originally designed to house Casper College and Natrona County High School (NC), this Collegiate Gothic building was the first center of education in Wyoming. Constructed between 1924 and 1927, the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. NC’s ties to the community run deep. Although the need to revitalize and modernize the school was universally agreed upon, maintaining the school’s historic elegance was imperative. The renovation and additions transformed the landmark school into a vibrant 21st century learning environment serving the academic, physical, and social well-being of students and staff, while enhancing the building’s presence within the community.
The design takes its inspiration from the district’s guiding principles: a culture of empowerment, inventive learning settings, collaborative learning environments, a memorable campus, and meaningful community partnerships. The revitalized school, both historic and new, is organized around four career academies focusing on a wide variety of teaching and learning pathways including direct institutional, project-based learning, collaboration, and presentation. NC’s most sustainable feature is the reuse and modernization of the existing buildings. In addition, numerous active and passive strategies reduced energy and increased occupant comfort, including the installation of active chilled beams, condensing boilers, and heat recovery units. The design provides access to natural daylight and views to 98% of classroom and staff spaces.
The renewed high school has met the educational, district, and community goals in spades. Inspiration and motivation at NC comes from its openness and transparency. Visible learning throughout the building sparks student engagement. Displays, both analog and digital, trigger student interest. Open presentations prompt involvement. Visible collaboration models critical skills for future success. Student interests pique involvement and student excitement ignites school pride. Finally, the beloved landmark is seamlessly transformed and remains a valuable community asset.
Makerspaces provide opportunities for hands-on learning.
Our Experiential Graphic Designers created a series of wayfinding graphics that sport the school's mascot, the mustang.
