Rock Ridge High School Wins MCA Award

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In January, the Minnesota Construction Association (MCA) selected KA-Duluth’s Rock Ridge High School project as an Award of Excellence Winner.

The 280,000-square-foot school is part of Rock Ridge Public School’s extensive set of more than $190 million construction and demolition building projects. The high school is the only wall-to-wall career academy school north of the Twin Cities.

Designed by Cuningham Group Architecture, alongside local firm DSGW Architects, the high school incorporates the natural beauty of these geological elements, including pine forests, diverse wetlands, and exposed rock ledges. Custom masonry blend reflects the color and texture of the rock outcroppings and weathered steel, connecting to the rich history of the Iron Range. Large feature windows frame views of the surrounding landscape, flooding the space with daylight and providing opportunities to learn and play in all four seasons.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”15″ images=”32145,32146,32147,32148,32149,32150,32151,32152,32153,32154,32155,32158,32159,32160,32161,32162,32163,32140,32144″ img_size=”medium”][vc_column_text]The comprehensive career academy features an open and centralized main commons, hands-on learning studios and laboratory spaces, Career Technical Education (C.T.E.), carpentry, metals and automotive labs, culinary arts lab and Prostart restaurant management program, certified nursing assistant skills (CNA) lab, media alcoves, and exterior learning environments. In addition, the school includes a new pool and a gymnasium with indoor athletics and physical education features.

Rock Ridge High School is an outstanding example of working together with the public and private sectors to drive prosperity in an economically distressed region— working with the IRRRB, The Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, to make the $180 million referendum possible for the $90 million Rock Ridge High School, which joined together three rival school districts to became “Fiercely United” on the Laurentian Divide.

The Laurentian Divide site presented unique construction challenges that 40-year construction veterans called the most challenging project of their careers (“IT WAS BUILT ON A ROCK!”). The team blasted roughly 70,000 cubic yards of rock to create a suitable construction surface. The project was completed with zero lost time claims.

The KA team successfully value-engineered $5.2 million from the budget, and during construction, the team collaborated with the school to provide on-site construction training opportunities, including student construction of 15 small structures on the campus, such as dugouts, decks, and storage buildings. The school district also partnered with local businesses to provide students with training and exposure to a range of career opportunities during construction.

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