Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School
Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Community School is a complete campus transformation on an existing 20.5 acre site. Located outside of Bloomfield, New Mexico on the Navajo Nation, this school serves the remote communities of Counselor, Nageezi, Huerfano, Nenahnezad and Shiprock. This Design/Build replacement project with Jaynes Corporation consists of a 57,783 sf school building for grades K-8, a 13,520 sf dormitory building to house students from remote areas during the week and variety of playfields, playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces. The buildings and site are developed using Navajo design principles—building community, restoring beauty, harmony and balance to the Earth.
Construction was phased to allow uninterrupted use of the existing school facilities until the new buildings were ready to be occupied. Critical attention was paid to the limits of each construction phase to clearly define pedestrian and vehicular access to new and existing site elements and to ensure student and teacher safety throughout the entirety of the project.
The school serves 221 students and is anchored by a day-lit, centralized Media Center, taking inspiration from a traditional Navajo Hogan. Three separate classroom wings radiate from this core to help separate age groups and tell the story of important cultural directions and teachings. Also connecting to the central area is a cafeteria that is serviced by a full-service kitchen and a gymnasium with 400-seat bleachers for school and community events.
The dormitory design is anchored by a centralized hogan common space, linking the study areas, living room and dining spaces to the four residential wings.
The campus design promotes outdoor education and student recreation. Site features are connected by a network of naturally winding pathways with a variety of intermediate shade elements. Building entries are defined with large canopies that provide a unique transitional space inspired by local art. An amphitheater and community garden are places for ceremonies and outdoor learning opportunities. Various playground areas serve multiple age groups. Low maintenance and low water-use landscaping will help provide shade and wind protection to make these spaces comfortable.
- New School Building: 57,783 sf
- New School Dormitory: 13,520 sf
- Architecture
- Interiors
- Engineering
- Landscape Architecture
- Classroom Wings
- Dormitories
- 21st Century Learning Environment
- Constructed & Occupied in Phases
- Gymnasium & Cafeteria
- Baseball & Softball Fields
- Outdoor Amphitheater Classroom
- Media Center “Hogan”
- Full-Service Kitchen
- Classrooms
- BIA Funded School
- Pending LEED Silver
- 2023, Best Building Award, $20 Million and Over, Associated General Contractors of New Mexico (AGC)
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