Architects Share Vision For NCHS Renovation

Conceptual designs for Natrona County High School's renovation and expansion were unveiled by Seattle based Bassetti Architects  Monday.

Marilyn Brockman, principal at Bassetti, presented designs for a campus that's reconfigured and expanded, that focuses on a central commons and inner atrium, with classrooms grouped into professional learning communities and a restored auditorium brought up to 21st century performance standards.

Brockman says the greatest challenge may be creating an addition that fits and doesn't distract.

"The historic building really represents what this school has been to the community. The new addition really needs to reflect what this building will become for the community and it's that interplay, the threading of those two things together that, from a design perspective, is difficult, but also really exciting."

The architects repeatedly stressed that the designs were conceptual and open for input and change. Estimated cost for the project at NCHS is about $119 million. She says they hope to start construction by next summer with completion in five years.