Wangenheim Middle School's existing permanent buildings, built in 1978, are austere, windowless masonry structures with large stucco overhangs and parapets. They are laid out on the site in a rectilinear arrangement with wide, paved areas between. Across a large vacant area are 35 portables laid out in a grid on an elevated, asphalted pad.

This project adds 24 classrooms and related facilities at the formerly vacant area of the site between the portables and the permanent buildings, thus unifying the permanent and portable elements of the campus. Pedestrian entries to the campus are redefined by new site walls, landscaping, a school sign and a relocated flagpole. A circular pedestrian plaza next to the main entry of the campus, at the point where the campus' main pedestrian circulation patterns converge, accommodates outdoor assemblies and performances and creates a much needed focal point for the entire campus.

The buildings are sited to promote natural ventilation, and the classrooms will have windows and clerestories arranged to provide maximum daylight and ventilation. Lightshelves and reflective exterior surfaces augment the natural lighting. Appropriately sized overhangs shade the windows from direct sunlight.

This project remodels for modernization according to criteria based on health and safety standards. Preservation of building and grounds, instructional upgrades and upgrading of existing systems are also provided. The technology component provides core requirements for integrating computers into the classrooms. It includes data linkage to site, conduit and cabling distribution, distribution points throughout all teaching and administrative areas, wiring closets/ signal boosters and electrical power.