MORROW COUNTY, Ore. — The Design Advisory Committee (DAC) has completed the preliminary design phase for the Morrow County School District’s three major voter-approved bond projects, marking an important milestone in the development of new and improved school facilities across the district.
Over the past several months, community members, students, and school staff representing Boardman, Irrigon, Heppner, and Lexington have comprised the DAC to shape the vision for these important projects, including replacement of Irrigon Junior/Senior High School, the major renovation of Riverside Junior/Senior High School, and the renovation and conversion of the Heppner Jr Sr High building into a K-12 campus. The process has been facilitated by SĀJ Architecture and Wenaha Group, the district’s project management partner.
During the final DAC meeting on Feb. 24, SĀJ presented refinements to site and floor plans of all three projects using 3D-printed models to help committee members conceptualize how the buildings will look and function.
“People experience and visualize design in different ways,” said SĀJ Principal Architect Seth Anderson, who is leading the Heppner K-12 School team. “We wanted to take the DAC’s previous work from two dimensions to three so everyone could better understand how spaces relate to each other, especially in a multilevel school like Heppner.”
Committee members also participated in an imagery charrette, reviewing and ranking photos and design concepts to guide the aesthetic direction of each school. The exercise built on earlier discussions about the unique characteristics of each community, from geographic features to cultural traditions, ensuring each campus reflects local identity while meeting modern educational needs.
“Defining a concept means identifying a core idea that tells a story of how the spaces are organized and materials are selected, and how the building reflects the community,” said SĀJ Architecture Principal Architect Amy Vohs, who is leading the Riverside Junior/Senior High team.
The preliminary design process provided the district with a strong foundation for the next phases of architectural work. SĀJ Architecture will compile feedback from the DAC meetings into a final report to the district in April, with plans to share updates with the community in May.
With preliminary design now complete, each project will move forward on its own schedule. The Irrigon Junior/Senior High School project will continue directly into schematic design over the next seven months. The Boardman (Riverside) and Heppner projects will briefly pause before entering schematic design later this year.
Along with design work, the District and its project team are refining overall project schedules for both design and construction to ensure careful coordination and responsible use of bond funds.
“The preliminary design phase has been a wonderful collaborative process and is setting these projects up for success,” said MCSD Superintendent Matt Combe. “Our DAC members, architects, and project partners have worked thoughtfully and intentionally to create functional, safe, and welcoming spaces that our students, staff, and communities will be proud of for generations to come.”
For more information about bond projects and upcoming updates, visit www.mcsdbond.org
