Mora High School - ISD 322
Location: Mora, Minnesota
Typology: High School
Date: August 2020 - August 2023 (Substantial Completion)
Software Used: Revit, AutoCad, Bluebeam, Photoshop
Project Role: Architectural Support
Beginning late Summer of 2020, a few months into my profession, I was added to the CD Phase of the Mora High School project. This was a massive school addition, to serve as their new 7-12 grade high school. This was a big transition, going from a team of four to growing to a team over a dozen people, staying on task and communicating often. With a project having 170,000 square feet and cost nearly $62 million dollars, a large scale team was necessary.
Client: Mora High School - Independent School District 332
Architect: Wold Architects and Engineers (Minneapolis, MN Office)
Exterior Rendering of Mora High School (Wold Architects and Engineers)
DEDICATED TASKS
- Interior Elevations: Working with the interior designer for this project, Sam Epping, I was tasked to detail and research product data for the proposed elevations from the Design Development Phase. The curved Learning Commons was a highlight of this project, using large format porcelain tile, wood accents, and way-finding signage to create a very sophisticated corridor that highlights the Auditorium.
- Casework Detailing: This project had numerous types of casework that spans from educational to coffee bars. Not only was it a fun challenge, but I was given lots of freedom with this design. Specifically the new Learning Commons, where we had built-in tech counters, lockers with integrated counters, reception desks, etc.. The Maker Space casework was notable, with built in ventilation and glass for 3D printers to be safe from the elements, but also put on display to show it how they work.
- ADA Toilet Rooms and Showers: Another task of mine was detailing out the proposed toilet room layouts and shower rooms. Being a school this size, there was a variety of toilet room types. Locker Room Toilets with showers, Multi-User Toilet Rooms, Nurse Toilet Rooms, are just some of the rooms I worked on.
- Reflected Ceiling Plans: The highlight of the Learning Commons and the Cafeteria were the tall ceilings, accented with linear LED light fixtures and wood accents. These ceiling materials were then replicated throughout the school. Specifically in the Commons Spaces and Corridors.
(Photo: Rendering and construction photo of the Learning Commons)
Project Challenges
Learning new ways to communicate was a huge hurdle, at least in the beginning, with a project this large. Due to COVID, we were all working from home for the whole duration of this project. Quickly adapting to using chat and video tools was essential when keeping a team on task. Now, it’s common practice to help new employees learn the firm’s software, but COVID really highlighted it’s usefulness.
Overall, the size of this project was a big learning challenge. To this day, this was one of the largest projects I’ve worked on (in square-footage). Daily check-ins, such as letting your team know what area of the building you’re working on to avoid overlapping work, or simply setting up a quick call.
(Photo: Rendering and construction photo of the Cafeteria)
PROJECT SUCCESSES
Working on this project from the CD phase to the early Bidding and Addendum timeline, this was a fun project and learned a lot about interior finishes. Using terrazzo was a highlight of this project, especially seeing it during the construction phase, since today we avoid it due to costs.
When this project was under construction, I was fully integrated in the Illinois Office, working from Minnesota still but flying to the IL Office weekly; so when the Mora CA Team kept me updated, whether it was reviewing custom wall coverings, or carpooling to the construction site, I’d happily tag along.
(Photo: Cafeteria and Learning Commons interior elevations)
Project floor plans and reflected ceiling plans.
Photo: Ground breaking Ceremony in August 2021. Other than myself, Michael Klauss (Project Manager), Jacob Cherry (Job Captain), and Brian Hicks (Architectural Support) represented the Wold team. The notable reading at this event was from the students that advocated the ‘Yes’ vote for this school referendum. I didn’t realize there was a school club that lobbied for this project. Civic action like this is great to see, especially for younger people.
