Savoonga K-12 School

Savoonga, Alaska

Knowing the importance of family, community, and culture in the Yupik village of Savoonga is a central focus of this user-based school design. In recognition of this, the design incorporates a specialty bilingual classroom and a gymnasium for the active students. The space allows for the integration of community elders, leaders, and parents to assist in the lifelong learning of students through cultural influences of languages, dance, sculpture, carving, sewing, and subsistence skills such as butchering a seal. Savoonga is located on the northern coast of Saint Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea and has a subarctic maritime climate with continental influence that causes harsh winds and snowdrift. The new facility was designed for ease of entry, flow, safety, security, plus maximum local and itinerant maintainability, energy efficiency and especially, expandability since enrollment is expected to increase. The exterior design is purposely suggestive of historic Siberian Yupik building forms, stretched hide coverings, and alludes to marine mammals. Durable materials utilizing warm colors with wooden accents were used throughout the building, reminiscent of Arctic tundra surroundings and representative of texture and patterning that is familiar to the culture.

2010 Merit Award • CEFPI Pacific Northwest Chapter
2010 Merit Award • AIA Alaska Chapter
2009 Honor Award • CEFPI Alaska Chapter

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