Warm Springs Academy

Located on the Warm Springs Reservation in Central Oregon, this K-8 academy aims to fulfill the vision of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to have proud students with a strong cultural identity to take ownership of their education along with a durable and easily maintained design to fulfill the needs of the school district.

The facility is comprised of “pods” where classrooms are clustered around shared “break-out” learning spaces. A fourth pod (or wing) houses the athletics and commons/cafeteria functions. The four pods are stitched together by a common “street” which houses spaces used by students and staff. All learning spaces have windows with views of Mt. Jefferson, the Palisade Cliffs and surrounding bluffs, or learning courtyards.

Client: Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Jefferson County School District
Location: Warm Springs, OR
Completion: 2014
Size: 80,000 SF
Sustainability: LEED-Silver Equivalent
Grade Level: K-8
Capacity: 600
ENGAGING
COMMUNITY

Throughout the design process, meetings were held with Chiefs, tribal members, the tribal radio station, and various stakeholders to gain valuable insight into community traditions. The final building incorporates a number of specific tribal requests, colors, and materials into the design, not just applied after the fact.

MODERN
MEETS TRADITION

Tribal traditions and values were integrated into design. Local Native American artists provided input during process and contributed significant pieces that were installed.