Share
An innovative education space.
Kainai is one of three Nations that comprises the Blackfoot Confederacy, also known as the Niitsitapi. To reflect their legacy, the new Aahsaopi Elementary School was designed to be both grounded in Blackfoot culture and a space for 21st century learning. The project team worked closely with the Kainai Board of Education to achieve this vision. The new school can support up to 600 students, ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 5, and is located directly beside the 30-year old structure it replaces.
Smith + Andersen provided mechanical engineering services for this project, which was completed in 2023 and is targeting Net Zero Carbon.
An innovative education space.
Kainai is one of three Nations that comprises the Blackfoot Confederacy, also known as the Niitsitapi. To reflect their legacy, the new Aahsaopi Elementary School was designed to be both grounded in Blackfoot culture and a space for 21st century learning. The project team worked closely with the Kainai Board of Education to achieve this vision. The new school can support up to 600 students, ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 5, and is located directly beside the 30-year old structure it replaces.
Smith + Andersen provided mechanical engineering services for this project, which was completed in 2023 and is targeting Net Zero Carbon.
Adaptable and efficient.
The design for this new elementary school began in 2021, and prioritizes both flexibility as well as a respect for the surrounding natural environment. From the beginning, the project team aimed to design a highly flexible learning environment that could adapt to the changing needs of students and educators. The mechanical design prioritized adaptability and energy efficiency to help the team meet their Net Zero Carbon goals. The team incorporated a geothermal heating system that complements other sustainable features of the design, such as solar power and wind energy.
