Project Overview
In 2014, officials with Denver Public Schools in Colorado made the difficult decision to close Montbello High School, which had served the northeast Denver community for more than three decades. Declining student performance and test scores, in conjunction with low graduation rates, led to the closing. The district replaced Montbello with three smaller schools, and while the hope was that these schools would perform at a higher level, the division ultimately splintered the community. This resulted in Montbello alumni and advocacy groups campaigning for the original school to reopen. Eventually, their efforts paid off: DPS agreed to bring the school back, and a bond program helped to raise enough funds for Montbello to convert from an outdated, 40-year-old facility into a modern, comprehensive educational environment. The project, which focused on both remodeling existing structures and expanding through new construction, was a close collaborative effort among precast concrete manufacturer Wells, architecture firms Eidos Architects and EUA, and engineer JVA Inc.
Rising Again
Construction work at Montbello High School centered on creating a vibrant, flexible learning space to support student success and foster community engagement. Renovation of existing spaces—along with the addition of new classroom wings, a gymnasium, and administrative buildings—was designed to breathe new life into the school. According to Andrea Nicholl, architect with Eidos Architects, precast concrete was the obvious choice for the project.
“With Montbello High School, we faced the challenge of modernizing a 40-year-old facility while keeping the school fully operational,” she says. “Leveraging prefabricated off-site components allowed us to work around the academic calendar, minimize disruptions to students, and meet tight timelines, all while staying cost-effective. Beyond the efficiencies related to the system, the design team found inspiration in concrete’s versatility to support the desired aesthetic.”
Precast concrete architectural wall panels were used for the new construction, delivering a cohesive and efficient envelope solution. The insulated architectural panels featured a combination of acid-etched finishes, thin-brick accents, and two distinct formliner patterns. One of the formliner patterns was strategically designed to align with spandrel glass, creating the illusion of larger windows while maintaining safety and insulation needs. The panels are load-bearing and engineered to support the steel structure of the new wings, providing equal parts structural performance and architectural appeal. Jane Crisler, principal at EUA, expanded on the benefits of the precast concrete panels.
“Overall, precast aided in the timeline, which was critical given the active school environment,” she says. “The insulated architectural walls improved energy efficiency, with the load-bearing perimeter panels integrating seamlessly with the steel structure, supporting the overall design vision.”
Achieving visual cohesion between the existing structure and the new additions posed a significant architectural challenge. Collectively, the team aimed for a “cultural quilt” approach to design, stitching all the pieces and parts together to create a more beautiful whole. Precast concrete was up to the challenge, helping to create a seamless transition between the remodeled spaces and new construction while enhancing the campus’s identity. The 198 insulated architectural precast concrete walls offered the design flexibility needed to unify the building through coordinated textures, colors, and geometric forms, resulting in a modernized yet cohesive visual appeal.
Tight collaboration among the project partners, along with the use of precast concrete, allowed Montbello High School’s design vision to come to life while meeting strict schedule and budget requirements. The result is a state-of-the-art educational facility that delivers long-term value to the northeast Denver community where it’s located.
“The new classrooms, gym, and administration spaces give students the modern learning environments they deserve, while the facility also serves as a community hub and source of pride,” says Ever Esparza, project manager at Wells. “It’s built to last, sending a clear message: this community matters and deserves the investment in its future.”
Mason Nichols is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based writer and editor who has covered the precast concrete industry since 2013. |