Down in Southern Utah, the desert is endless, and the thunder rolls wild. The aptly named Desert Hills High School “Thunder” mascot not only celebrates the raw beauty and power of a desert thunderstorm; it represents the academic vigor and athletic prowess of its student body. Located in St. George, Utah, the 285,000-square-foot, Desert Hills High School was completed in 2009, and in its design, NWL set a new standard of educational facility excellence for the Washington County School District. With sleek, modern integrally colored concrete tilt-up panels and insulated metal panels juxtaposed with traditional red masonry, the school’s exteriors display a professional, yet academic aesthetic that both complements and contrasts the hues and textures of its natural surroundings. A banner of aluminum windows parades across the school’s arced main entrance facade, creating a welcoming feel for students, faculty, and community while letting in ample natural light – a must for a healthy learning environment.

The school was designed in a campus-style arrangement that consists of three interconnected hubs that provide for an interconnected, dynamic educational flow. The school’s administrative and academic classroom building functions as the main hub and includes math, science, social studies, music, and general studies classrooms, as well as a sweeping 972-seat performing arts auditorium that serves as an inspiring venue for performers and audience members alike. Radiating arms branch out from the school’s administrative and academic hub into an athletic building to the east and a CTE/vocational technical center to the west. The interstitial space between buildings provides an outdoor gathering space for students and faculty, further broadening and enriching the educational experience. The school is efficiently heated and cooled with a Geothermal Loop Heat Exchanger (GLHE) and features low-glare lighting and ample daylighting, all of which provide optimal thermal comfort and further amplify the learning experience. The spirit of the Desert Hills “Thunder” isn’t meant to be contained, but it certainly has a home in a state-of-the-art high school that paves the way for successful futures to run free.