Togiak K-12 School Replacement Southwest Region School District, Togiak, Alaska

USKH worked closely with students, elders, teachers, teacher’s aides, and school district staff to design a school that reflects the spirit of the community.  Students enter the school through a symbolic Qasgig or “Men’s House” with four columns supporting large timbers. From the Cultural Commons, the students proceed into the large open space Dining/Multi-purpose commons, which provides a view of the Togiak Bay - the life source of the village.  Exiting through the large glass areas leads to the “outdoor” teaching deck with four symbolic columns and large timbers. This will be the space where the elders can teach skinning, butchering, fish cleaning, and other traditional tasks.

Size: 70,145-sf

Cost: $22,292,100

Specific Components

• Stage/platform opening to both the dining/multipurpose room and the gymnasium with folding partitions
• Support space to meet the educational program needs for the Togiak community
• Incorporates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements
• Meets building, fire and life-safety code requirements
• Site evaluation including development of roads, parking, water source and treatment, and on-site sewer treatment

Awards

"Outstanding Architecture and Design in Education" – School College Planning & Management, 2005
"Honorable Mention Award Winner" – School College Planning & Management, 2005
“Honor Award” – CEFPI,Alaska Chapter

"We were very excited about the design for community use.  The creative design of the stage to be used with either the gym or the lobby; the ability of the lobby to be used as a cafeteria or presentation area; the ability to zone off the classroom areas for nighttime use security and the ability to access the library, administration and gymnasium from the community area." – Jury Comments

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