Kumin successfully completed the planning and design of this transformative 174,000 SF middle school consisting of 40 core academic spaces arranged in eight “houses.” Each house contains space for science, language arts, math, social studies, and special education along with a planning center. 

Additional classrooms include space for world language, intensive needs, visual arts, performing arts, health, business education, family and consumer sciences, and technology education. This new facility includes a library, gymnasium, indoor track, multipurpose room, kitchen, and dedicated areas for administration, guidance, and student services. Exterior site recreational facilities include a hockey rink, tennis courts, and fields for football, soccer, and softball.

The interior design strategy - colors, materials, patterns - were chosen to create highly functional wayfinding. Finish selections considered sustainability, durability and maintainability. Designers sought to create a high-end feel on a conservative budget that inspired pride in students, faculty and staff. Locally, Begich Middle School was ahead of its time for sustainable design. In addition to the daylighting and borrowed light used extensively throughout the facility, sustainable principles were used in finishes such as the linoleum flooring, a linseed oil-cork-wood flour product, low VOC paints and adhesives, motion-sensored electrical lighting and natural finish stone tiles that produce no off-gassing, do not require toxic finishes or sealants, and require absolutely no chemicals for cleaning, upkeep and maintenance.