Leading the planning and design of this landmark new middle school for Billings Public Schools, the A&E Design team, in collaboration with Integrus Architecture, met with stakeholders to determine goals and a vision for the work ahead. Several key concepts rose to the surface: preferred adjacencies, classroom organization, shared teaching areas, common spaces, learning services, circulation, and safe school entry. These relationship studies began an important dialogue to define the desired qualities of the built spaces.

Three separate sites were explored for the middle school location, with studies of each potential scenario determining one optimal location for the new school. Existing outdoor amenities were expanded to include new baseball fields, parking areas, and walking trails. The design strategically configured the school and its athletic facilities for both student and community use, holistically serving the district’s children, families, and residents.