Hutchison Career Center
University of Alaska, Fairbanks

A unique partnering between the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Hutchison is home to both the Hutchison High School and the Tanana Valley Campus Hutchison Center. As a district wide magnet school, Hutchison High was programmed, designed, and equipped to provide a stand-alone career and technical high school. The Tanana Valley Campus Hutchison Center provides a wide variety of certificate/associate degree programs, ranging from its acclaimed airframe and power mechanics aviation program to the culinary arts. A core group of educators, administrators, and designers worked together to concurrently evolve the design and curricula, beginning at the conceptual level and continuing the practice with regular meetings throughout the design process.

The revitalized Hutchison facility deliberately makes the statement that it is different from other educational facilities in the District. The exterior vertical marquis with red neon “Hutchison” provides a visible icon, and is a beacon of technology. Inside and out, the facility uses bold color and a palette of industrial materials to reinforce the unique nature of the facility.

Size: 138,000-sf

Cost: $23,751,509

Specific Components

• Central commons with clerestory lighting to bring natural light into the heart of the building
• Hierarchy and arrangement of spaces recognizes the diversity of functions and provides distinct educational neighborhoods
• Instructional spaces designed to assure flexibility and to anticipate future technology by accommodating a wide variety of media – overhead video projectors, media switchers, and extensive data and networking interface.

Awards
"Outstanding Architecture and Design in Education" – School College Planning & Management, 2005
"Honorable Mention Award Winner" – School College Planning & Management, 2005

Client Feedback
“On behalf of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, I want to thank you for your assistance in the development of the Hutchison Institute of Technology, home of Hutchison High School and Tanana Valley Campus…Your help with this project resulted in an exception technical education training opportunity that will benefit the community for years to come.” – Doug Crevensten, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

“USKH did a wonderful job and your patience with me and others also warrants an award.  The new Hutch is wonderful and exceeding all expectations.  A great design leads to a great facility and program.” – Jake Poole, University of Alaska, Fairbanks

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