South Anchorage High School

Anchorage, Alaska

The central focus of South Anchorage High School is a curving, boat-shaped 'commons' that forms the social heart of this educational community. During school functions and community theatrical and musical performances events, the commons acts as a lobby and gathering place. The space is lit by a continuous south-facing clerestory and gradually steps down a sloping site to connect academic houses, career clusters, library, auditeria, and gymnasium. Each of the academic houses contains 14 classrooms, teacher team rooms, faculty offices, and book storage. Several pairs of classrooms have folding walls to accommodate team teaching. Classrooms are organized to provide maximum flexibility and may be organized by grade, by department, fully integrated or by thematic career paths. The 270,000 SF facility was the first entirely new school built within the Anchorage School District in nearly 30 years. The interior was designed to appeal to the students, yet have the durability and ease of maintenance to last through many graduating classes.

Associate architect: Perkins & Will

2005 James D. MacConnell Award of Excellence Finalist • CEFPI International
2005 Citation Award • American Association of School Administrators (AASA)/AIA/CEFPI International National Conference on Education
2005 Honor Award • AIA Alaska Chapter
2004 Honor Award • CEFPI Alaska Chapter

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