APS HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL, TITLE IX GYMNASIUM UPGRADES

Highland High School’s gymnasium, originally built in 1949, stands as one of the most iconic structures on campus. After decades of small renovations and incremental additions, the facility no longer met the needs of the school’s diverse student body or the requirements of Title IX and ADA compliance. Working closely with Albuquerque Public Schools, SMPC developed renovation strategies that respect the historic stature of the building while modernizing it into a safe, equitable, and durable facility for athletics, physical education, and community use.

The gymnasium renovation was the first phase of a larger campus redevelopment effort aimed at centralizing programs, respecting historic character, and creating a 21st-century urban campus. The project includes complete replacement and reconfiguration of restrooms and locker rooms, relocation of program spaces, and the addition of a new auxiliary gymnasium. The design moves locker rooms to the east side of the building with a buffered central corridor, while the west side is anchored by a new weight room with transparent windows that connect the campus core visually to health and movement activities.

Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems were fully replaced, and the building is now fully sprinklered for life safety. Outdated fluorescent fixtures were replaced with efficient LED lighting, and all finishes were specified to meet APS standards for durability and ease of maintenance. While the Main Gym and mezzanine bleachers remain largely intact, the lobby and most supporting spaces were reimagined to provide modernized, functional, and equitable athletic facilities.

SMPC worked with APS Facilities Design & Construction, APS Capital Master Plan, and the Highland High School Building Committee to manage project phasing, maintain campus operations during construction, and keep project costs in check despite challenges associated with renovating aging infrastructure. The result is a facility that supports equity, enhances student engagement, and strengthens community pride in Highland High School athletics.

Photography credit: mattophoto architectural photography