Su Valley Junior & Senior High School

Following the loss of the original school to a fire, Su Valley Junior & Senior High School was reimagined as a central place for education and community life in Alaska’s Upper Susitna Valley. The design reflects the independence and creativity of its surroundings, incorporating input from students, educators, and community members from the earliest phases.

Curved forms, clerestory windows, and exposed timber give the school a character rooted in place. A central library anchors the building, flanked by flexible, multi-purpose classrooms that support both daily learning and after-hours use by the broader community. Local stone and timber materials reinforce regional identity.

Each graduating class contributes to the school through an art installation, creating a tradition of personal connection and ownership. The project was also a sustainability milestone, becoming Alaska’s first LEED-certified high school. Energy efficiency, daylighting, and healthy materials were priorities throughout. Despite remote logistics and tight deadlines, the team delivered a building that performs at a high level and continues to serve as a model for future schools in the state.