Wahoo Middle-High School

To meet the expanding needs of the Wahoo high school and middle school programs, this project includes a new construction addition and renovation to the existing Wahoo Middle-High School in Wahoo, Nebraska. The new construction addition is approximately 80,000 square feet and has high school classrooms, administrative offices, commons, a gymnasium, and career technology education (CTE) labs and classrooms. The renovation scope includes approximately 110,000 square feet and replaces existing mechanical, lighting systems and equipment, new ceilings, locker rooms, training room, concessions, and cafeteria/servery.

After studying numerous options during the master plan, the design team established the following program goals to respond to district overcrowding, growth forecast, and deferred maintenance improvements: 

1. Build new HS Classrooms and CTE Labs.
2. Move 5th Grade from Elementary to the MS Building.
3. Replace outdated HVAC systems throughout the existing building.
4. Expand the Cafeteria Servery and Commons.
5. Build a second gym for physical education and other activity programs.
6. New parking and improvements to traffic flow.

The new 2-story addition consists mainly of precast concrete and a braced steel frame structure. The entrances include metal panel-clad stud assemblies and storefront glazing. The metal panel accents expand throughout the new addition and continue through a perforated metal screen at the new mechanical yard.

For the interior, we continued to expand on the intent to create a new identity and put education on display. This was accomplished by use of color, pattern, and graphics that correspond to existing district branding. Materials were selected for new spaces and incorporated at various levels in areas of remodel. The team was also interested in incorporating biophilic design elements with the use of wood, views to exterior, and introduced daylight modeling to evaluate ideal fenestration throughout the new addition.