Architects show Northfield High design renderings, site plan, timelines and energy/security options

Sal Bagley of the architect team (Old Architecture Architects & Engineers) and Josh Cooper of Knutson Construction presented a design‑development update to the school board that outlined the proposed additions, phased construction approach, exterior materials, site circulation and energy strategy for the Reimagine Northfield High School project.

Bagley said the plan keeps major existing components—media center, auditorium, kitchen/cafeteria footprint and parts of the V‑wings—while demolishing several older wings (identified in the design drawings as H, M, D and S wings) and adding an east-facing classroom/office addition, a southwest music and activities addition and a smaller vocational/culinary addition on the north side. The design creates a unifying commons space that connects classroom wings and the dining commons to improve daylighting and circulation.

On site layout and circulation, the team proposed a two‑lane parent drop‑off loop that ties to Division Street, a separate bus loop on the north side designed to accommodate turning movements without backing, expanded parking areas and controlled cross‑site access points. Bagley said separating buses and family traffic improves site safety. He described a northside infiltration basin for stormwater and said the project will reconstruct five existing tennis courts in place and add three new courts immediately to the west (a total of eight new courts).

Geothermal was included in the plan: the project team is awaiting a test‑well report and expects geothermal wells to be located on the southern side of the main parking area; the exact well count is still being determined. Bagley said the referendum that funded the project included a geothermal component that passed, and test drilling encountered sand that delayed the report but results were expected soon.

Exterior materials proposed include a combination of existing brick to remain, a new lighter brick tone, darker brick accents, precast architectural concrete panels for large gym/music volumes, expanded glass and a stone thin fin wall at main entrances to create identifiable arrival points. Interior materials under discussion include terrazzo or polished concrete for major commons areas, tile and carpet tile options, acoustic treatments and durable finishes in high-traffic zones.

Bagley said the design team and user groups have debated glazing choices, energy performance and safety glazing options. He said the team priced multiple glazing options (safety, security, ballistic categories) after consulting first responders, but decisions will reflect trade-offs among daylighting, energy efficiency and security. The team is also running energy-model bundles to compare first costs and operating-cost savings and will present choices to the district.

Schedule and phasing: Bagley said the project remains in design development and construction documents through February, with a planned bid period in April and anticipated mobilization in early June. The team is planning multiple construction phases (Bagley said the contractor’s current logistics plan includes seven phases) to build new space before demolishing old wings and to maintain school operations during construction.

Community use and programming: Bagley and board members discussed community access to the expanded gym spaces, theatre and a new community classroom planned adjacent to the activity entrance. The presentation noted a flexible new “Raider Hall” (a retractable‑seating performance/lecture space) of roughly 115 seats, an auditorium expansion goal to add roughly 50–100 seats to approach about 400 seats overall and an activities lobby designed for event wayfinding and branding. Bagley said the district and Community Education will work on rental policy and scheduling; community‑use details will be developed as construction proceeds.

Board members asked about daylighting, glazing performance and security glazing energy trade-offs; Bagley said larger panes and more glazing increase daylight but require careful energy and security choices. Questions about traffic, drop‑off locations, tennis‑court layout and the community classroom location were answered with references to the site plan and the team offered several public engagement opportunities including material sample displays and an open house during parent‑teacher conferences.

Ending: The design team will submit materials for city review, continue user‑group refinements and return to the board later this winter; Bagley said sample materials are available at parent‑teacher conferences and the team expects to issue bid documents in February with construction mobilization planned for June.