North Lakes Academy

Forest Lake, Minnesota

2019

66,800 sf

Randy Wagner, Steve Knutson, Chris Kroeger, Erik Sundmark

A growing student enrollment fueled the demand for a new K-8 school to provide a safe student environment that is inviting of public usage while acting as a community resource.

The new student centered education facility focuses on grade level and peer to peer learning. A pod classroom arrangement with core support services, allows for a compact building configuration, which was required to mitigate a challenging site. Facility and grounds are designed for best practices in school safety and allow for facility to be used by community during off school hours.

Education

Scope:

Master Planning Architecture Interior Design

The exterior establishes brand identity with integration of colors, massing and materials.

Secure and welcoming student entry with emphasis on daylighting to create a dynamic space.

Precast panels and wood overlay cover the elevator shaft, providing another branded focal point within the student circulation spaces.

Easily adapiable classroom environments provide a blend of fixed and movable equipment for a variety of teaching styles.

Exterior material pallet composed of high performing, low maintenance claddings - reducing building maintenance costs.

The school is situated to address traffic flows for both parents drop-off/pick-up and bus activity.

Creating an environmentally responsive site - playground and field areas are sloped and drain towards stormwater retention basins.

The modern classrooms design blends energy efficient LED lighting and daylight harvesting.