The Cedar Falls High School project is a milestone in sustainable and inclusive educational design. This facility serves as a community hub and a forward-thinking learning environment, integrating environmental stewardship, resilience, and adaptability.
A comprehensive engagement process ensured the design met the needs of students, staff, and the community. During Insight Week, educators, parents, students, and local stakeholders collaborated to shape the school’s vision. Themes of collaboration, diversity, and modern educational needs guided the design toward inclusivity and adaptability.
The school prioritizes physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Quiet, naturally lit spaces with acoustic treatments and tunable lighting support neurodiverse learners. Centralized commons and collaborative spaces foster interaction and community engagement.
High-contrast signage, sensory-friendly quiet rooms, and flexible furniture cater to diverse sensory and accessibility needs. The open layout fosters collaboration and accommodates students of all abilities. Strategic placement of single-use restrooms and varied seating arrangements enhances privacy and inclusivity.
Sustainability shaped every design decision, focusing on energy efficiency, material selection, water management, and ecological preservation. Passive design strategies like optimized orientation and high-performance insulation significantly reduce energy demand. Daylighting minimizes artificial lighting needs, while space for a solar array offsets 30% of energy consumption. A reinforced roof allows future solar panel installation, enabling net-zero capabilities. Active chilled beam systems and CO₂ sensors enhance air quality and comfort.
Durable, low-carbon materials were locally sourced to reduce transportation emissions and support regional economies. Weathered steel panels and acoustic felt improve functionality and acoustics. Sustainability certifications guided material selection for carpets and finishes. Stormwater management techniques, such as bioswales and dry detention basins, filter pollutants and reduce runoff. Native vegetation eliminates irrigation needs, restoring 37% of the site to natural ecosystems and contributing to watershed health.
Collaboration with the Tall Grass Prairie Center reintroduced native plant species, creating pollinator habitats and enhancing biodiversity. Prairie plants’ deep root systems capture atmospheric carbon, contributing to ecological restoration. Outdoor learning spaces, landscaped courtyards, and biology labs connect students to nature, fostering environmental stewardship.
The school’s structural system features large spans, eliminating traditional partitions and supporting space evolution without costly renovations. Modular classrooms and operable partitions adapt to diverse teaching methods and future trends. The facility also serves as a community storm shelter, exceeding capacity requirements and reinforcing its role as a resilient community resource. Durable, low-maintenance materials ensure efficiency and reduced lifecycle costs.
Cedar Falls High School exemplifies how thoughtful design creates adaptable, inclusive, and sustainable environments. Its innovative technologies and community-focused spaces make it an enduring asset to Cedar Falls, inspiring future generations to value and protect their environment.
Category:Green ArchitectureYear:2025Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa, USAArchitects:Invision ArchitectureLandscape Architects: Ritland + Kuiper Landscape ArchitectsGeneral Contractor:Story Construction Co.Design Team:Brad Leeper, Laura Peterson, Jason Devries, Tim Turnis, Cody Mills, Abbey Huppenbauer, McKaylee Palmer, and Kate Payne Client:Cedar Falls High SchoolPhotographers:Cameron Campell
