North Lakes Academy

Forest Lake, Minnesota

2019

66,800 sf

Randy Wagner, Steve Knutson, Chris Kroeger, Erik Sundmark

Project Status: Completed Project

Education

Scope:

Master Planning Architecture Interior Design

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.

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.