Modular Technology design builds charter high school on Navajo Reservation in 8 months

Modular Technology press release, November 21, 2006

Situated in remote, northern Arizona, this 32,000 square foot charter high school serves Navajo students in the north central part of the state.

The 2-month design process included design assistance from a Navajo architect who created culturally significant design elements throughout the building interior and exterior to honor the Navajo culture.  The design process included charettes with the school’s design committee, which included Board Members, administrators, community members, and educators. The 2 charettes helped focus on budget requirements, general uses, technology needs, as well as cultural elements.

During preconstruction, the Modular Technology team also worked with the Shonto Board and the consultants to bring the design within the budget.  Several floor plans and classroom configurations were explored with the team to get the most building for the budget.

Design inspiration came from a trip to the Navajo National Monument and a hike into the canyon at the monument to view the Anasazi ruins. The foliage and Aspen found in the bottom of the canyon were the same at the top of the mountain. This was the inspiration for the hallway patterns. The canyon is depicted in the middle of the design and at the base by the dark area, which represents the Alpine foliage. The entry patterns are developed from mountain patterns that represent the Navajo Four Sacred Mountains. The floor entry and assembly areas display the Mountain patterns.

The down spouts mimic corn stalk patterns intrinsic in the Navajo culture. The geometric pattern at the roof parapet was based on local jewelry and rug patterns of the Shonto region.

A traditional Navajo Blessing by the tribal Medicine Man highlighted the dedication ceremony.

The building features:

• 13 Classrooms
• Computer lab
• Library
• Cafetorium
• Administration
• 3,500 square foot Vocational Building
• Welding classrooms
• Auto Shop classrooms
• Wood working classrooms

Modular Technology currently has 8 charter schools in design or construction, making a total of more than 40 permanent charter schools and additions built since the Legislature approved Charter Schools. Additionally, there are currently 5 district schools in design or construction.

Modular Technology is chosen by schools because of the accelerated construction process using a parallel method of constructing the permanent custom building in a controlled environment while the site and infrastructure are under construction. This eliminates 50% of the time, yet the quality, materials and subcontractors are identical to traditional construction.

Modular Technology, founded in 1984, is a fully integrated design-build company and is the largest commercial general contractor in Arizona specializing in design-build modular school construction. More than 85 school districts and 30+ charter and private schools have worked with Modular Technology. For over 20 years we have supplied educational, financial, commercial, and medical facilities to clients throughout the southwest. National clients, such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo, have built more than 50 permanent branches with Modular Technology in the past 8 years.