285,000

ENR Southwest Award of Merit 2019
K-12

NAIOP NM Eagle Award Winner 2019
Education

HB was selected to transform the facilities of Jal Public Schools according to the district’s plan to “improve instructional opportunities and showcase the pride that Jal has in its schools.”

Prior to a 2015 bond, the newest academic facility on the Jal Public schools’ campus was built in 1959. Improvements or replacements were needed at every facility. The existing elementary school was 3/4 miles away from the other campuses despite sharing a cafeteria and participating in district-wide pep rallies. This resulted in elementary students walking 3/4 of a mile to the main campus daily.

Parkhill Smith & Cooper Architects and HB Construction were selected to transform Jal Public Schools using the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery format. HB delivered the project in multiple phases, providing best value solutions during both design and construction. The resulting elementary, consolidated junior high/high school, aquatic facility, and administrative offices are a tribute to collaboration and teamwork in project delivery.

The consolidated campus design breaks away from the traditional classroom concept, giving students a more flexible and fluid learning experience. Informal open spaces located throughout the school help facilitate a social and creative learning atmosphere.

Community Hub

While designed for 21st century learning, the school also functions as a community center. By incorporating these two concepts, HB and PSC changed the way the team approached construction of the campus. The community benefits from the year-round aquatic center, splash park, and daycare. Throughout the year, the gyms, amphitheater, kitchen, and computer lab are all available to the community outside of school hours.

Jal’s new aquatic facility, located next door to campus, consists of an indoor lap pool with a retractable roof and an outdoor aquatic pad with water slide. The facility is open to the community for recreation and aquatic rehabilitation therapy.

Rural Construction Focus

Jal’s small population (just over 2,000 residents) and rural locations created a project labor and material delivery challenge. HB worked with local organizations to solicit and qualify local contractors for work on the project, ensuring the district received labor and material value worthy of its investment.