Atrisco Heritage Academy High School
A collaboration between FBT Architects and Perkins+Will, this new high school for 2,250 students represents a big step forward in the development of 21st Century schools. Atrisco Heritage Academy features 473,000 sf of classrooms and support facilities unified by a common pedestrian plaza. As requested by the community, the facility serves as a multicultural education and community center for the predominantly Hispanic and immigrant population served by this district. Located on the gently sloping southwest mesa of Bernalillo County, this innovative school campus strives to safeguard the community’s past, with an eye toward the future in a rapidly changing environment. Features include classrooms and administrative support spaces for 2,200 students, three gymnasiums, a performing arts center, black box theater, community health clinic, mock courtroom, bank and facilities to support career path academies including health careers, Business and Leadership.
The design met the community’s challenge for all primary classrooms to hold views of the Sandia Mountains. Administrative offices, lockers and restrooms were clustered around small learning communities. Regional materials including stucco and corrugated metal were offset with curtainwall glazing systems and flat metal panel to provide a modern interpretation of traditional architecture.
The Vision
The design team’s focus for the project was to develop a community-based campus focused around small learning communities. To support that goal, the campus was designed with public meeting spaces, medical clinics, legal services, a public library and computer labs.
With security a primary concern, the approach for the campus organization focused around a secured student pedestrian zone interconnecting the educational spaces. Community spaces line the perimeter. Public access to the student pedestrian is strictly controlled with ornamental security barriers.
FBT took a great deal of time, effort and care to hear what educators, students and families had to say about our programs, academies and small learning communities. FBT understands it is not just a building but a long-term investment in our community with significance for generations.
Karen Sanchez-Griego, Former Principal, Atrisco Heritage Academy High School
- 473,000 sf
- Architecture
- Master Planning
- Programming
- Sustainability Consulting
- Interior Design
- High Performance High School
- 2,200 students
- 21st Century Learning Environment
- Constructed and occupied in phases
- Small Learning Communities
- State-of-the-art Performing Arts Center
- Black Box Theater
- Classrooms have views of Sandia Mountains
- Occupied in phases
- Designed separate zones for student and community use
- Student zone:
- Athletic Track & Field
- Health Careers Academy
- Business Careers Academy
- Leadership Careers Academy
- Community zone:
- Banking
- Library services
- Legal services
- Community Health Clinic
- Computer labs
- Meeting rooms
- 2009 National School Board Association (NSBA) Exhibition of School Architecture Grand Prize Award
- 2009 Design Concept Award, Council of Educational Facilities Planners International
- 2010 Award of Excellence – Education, NAIOP
- 2010 Best of 2010 Award, Southwest Contractor
- 2013 Best Building – $10-20 million, Association of General Contractors, New Mexico
- 2012 Excellence in Construction, Associated Builders & Contractors
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