New Millennium Academy came to DSGW with a desire for a highly visible academic building that expressed a 21st century learning environment. The schools site selection provided the school an opportunity to gain a strong presence thru visibility along highway 100 in Brooklyn Center. As an established Minnesota charter school, New Millennium wanted to incorporate their branding and school logo which emphasizes their Hmong cultural immersion charter school model. By working with the school, students and parents the final building design brought Hmong culture into the learning environments and common areas thru murals, floor patterning, and structural expression. Building massing and siting took advantage of the adjacent park, and provided for a safe and secure student and staff grounds which are used extensively throughout the school day. The importance of music and dance within the school generated opportunities to be creative with flexible spaces for large performances and community gatherings. The nearly five-acre site had many changes including road improvements to make access to the school safer and easier.
