On August 7, 2014, Nacht & Lewis was honored to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening for the new Natomas Gateways Middle School (NGMS), the newest middle school in the Natomas Unified School District. Hundreds of community members, parents, students, faculty and partners were present for the ceremony and facility tour. To kick the evening off, Principal – Marnie Lynch, Superintendent – Chris Evans and President of the Board of Trustees – Sue Heredia welcomed the crowd with optimistic words for the future of the school before the ribbon cutting ceremony and school opening.
This project began in November 2013 with the selection of Nacht & Lewis as the architect to adapt an existing building on the Natomas High School campus for the new middle school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) program. Over the next 9 months, the project team worked diligently to complete the design and construction in time to welcome the inaugural 7th grade class headed back to school tomorrow, August 13th, 2014.
The NGMS program consisted of extensive renovations to an existing 2-story building of approximately 24,700 square feet. It contains 16 classrooms, staff work rooms, storage and student and staff restrooms and will serve as a self-contained facility for the new middle school. Key to the building’s conversion was the development of two 21st Century Classrooms. The Creation Station and Einstein Labs were designed for student-centered learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math and medicine. Building and site modifications were made to accommodate approximately 400 7th and 8th grade students and approximately 25 faculty and staff where the curriculum will be delivered primarily through tablet computers issued to all students. The new school will initially open with 7th grade students only and will add 8th grade students next year. The NGMS team is dedicated to developing 21st Century workplace skills as well as college and career readiness for every student—every day.
The project was delivered on schedule and within budget under a Lease-Leaseback delivery method. We wish to thank our design and construction partners; LP Consulting Engineers, Inc., Barrish Pelham & Associates Inc., Warren Consulting Engineers, MTW Group and Roebbelen Contracting Inc., for the teamwork it required to open this fast-paced project in time for the new school year, which starts tomorrow!
A District article about the grand opening can be found here and you can find additional event photos on our firm’s Facebook page, Enjoy!
