The expansion and renovation of Conestoga High School in TE School District has been a case study in careful architectural process. Project planning has balanced existing condition limitations and opportunities for enhanced instructional space. The school site is incredibly constrained with the surrounding developed neighborhood limiting any property expansion. In addition, Conestoga High School is constrained by existing utilities, complicated sloping topography, and athletic field usage.

Within the parameters of the site constraints, HSA coordinated with TE school district’s demographer’s reports and predictions of future growth to examine a variety of building expansion and renovation models to meet instructional needs. An exhaustive programming analysis was conducted to determine the yield rate for different types of classrooms to ensure the design maximizes instructional space from a square foot efficiency standpoint.

Heckendorn Shiles Architects has worked closely with the School District’s board members and administrators in devising a site plan, building design, and schedule to provide a comprehensive 21st Century educational environment for the current and future students.

Renovations to the existing building provide cafeteria expansion, additional core classroom space, upgraded science labs, expansion of the fitness facility, an additional FCS instructional classroom, expansion of the library, expanded and upgraded Nurse’s suite, additional restrooms, and expansion of the student services.

The new addition's open area is a "parti", playing off the silhouette of a Conestoga Wagon, but as a modern academic space for more flexible learning.

The day-lit atrium was designed to lead to STEAM classrooms beyond. Art classrooms deliberately open onto the atrium to enhance instructional space and serve as a gallery for student work.

The design and schedule of the addition and expansion met the need for Conestoga High School to remain open and operational during expansion construction.

The addition centers around a connecting bridge and the translucent roofed atrium. Without the skylight roof, the classrooms off the atrium would have no access to natural light.

The new bridge connects the existing school to the addition.

By opening up the stairwell wall completely, not only does the space receive natural light from the bridge but the entire space becomes a possible auditorium for guest lectures and assemblies. State of the art sound systems and acoustics were added.

Breakout spaces within the atrium provide opportunity for collaborative small group instruction and study areas. At certain sections, the the use of wood framing plays with creating "cabins" for more intimate spaces. The Trees are acoustics.

The “Fab Lab” provides an interactive and collaborative space for students working in art, science, engineering and math.