Kalispell Public Schools

GLACIER HIGH SCHOOL
Glacier High School not only reflects the best solution for the Flathead Valley, but incorporates the most progressive, research-based thinking from across the country. The primary goal of the design was to improve and enhance learning through the physical environment and small learning communities. The facility’s layout encourages collaborative group learning opportunities with flexible spaces that can adapt to curriculum trends, future technology, and growth. The design utilizes sustainable and renewable resource strategies — such as daylighting, biomass heating, and free cooling — that respond to the environment, lower operational costs, and increased comfort and productivity. Glacier High is truly an innovative, high-performance school — one with great security, safety, and healthy learning environments.

FLATHEAD HIGH SCHOOL
Facing an aging facility, the school district decided on a new student commons addition, creating a new life and “heart” for the school. The commons provides a large, multi-function gathering space that serves as a popular student hangout. The open, bright, lively atmosphere functions daily as a food court, public lobby/concessions, and a place for presentations, social gatherings, and community meetings. The design creatively connects the existing five levels of the school with a new, large, open circulation stairway and elevator tower, allowing much better circulation and accessibility throughout the facility. Safety code upgrades and improvements were implemented to improve the entire building’s emergency exiting, fire separation, fire alarm, and fire sprinkler system. The new commons integrates so well with the existing building that it’s difficult to tell where the original school ends and the addition begins.