Client: The Hopi Tribe

Location: Polacca, AZ

Size: 75,000 SF

This K-6 elementary school for the Hopi Tribe serves as a replacement for the former Polacca Day School.  The project included  classrooms, a 600 seat gymnasium, administrative area, cafeteria and food service facilities, art/music classroom with electric kiln, play fields, playgrounds, support services, a bus barn and 22 staff quarters. The colors and materials selected for both the interior and exterior designs of the school were chosen to complement the surrounding area and reflect traditional Hopi culture.

First Mesa Elementary is the first LEED Certified school in Arizona. Sustainable features include harvested rainwater used to irrigate native plants and trees around the site, use of non-toxic building materials, and controls for reduced water and energy consumption. A weather station and educational displays throughout the building make the school a learning experience in itself.

Key Staff
Jim Houser
Dyron Murphy
Armando Romero
Oscar Tovar