Vista Ridge High School in Colorado Springs, CO, expanded its footprint with a strategic 32,000 sq ft addition designed to accommodate 18 contemporary, career-oriented classrooms. The two-story addition — dubbed the Career Technical Education (CTE) wing — connects to the main campus via a corridor, integrating seamlessly with the existing structure while providing specialized spaces for hands-on technical learning. Within the new wing, students have access to diverse, cutting-edge programs, including a pharmacy lab, e-gaming, cybersecurity, drone operations, engineering, healthcare, and business—all aligned with the school’s goal of providing future-ready career education.

Architecturally, the wing’s exterior needed to match a nearly 20-year-old precast building. Wells worked closely with the design team to identify a similar color and used a banded design with an acid-etched, light waterwash finish that mimicked the original texture.

One of the biggest challenges was managing the construction logistics during the school year. Delivery schedules were coordinated with the school’s daily drop-off and pick-up times to minimize disruptions and ensure safety, with minimal interference to students’ routines. Regular coordination among Wells, Nunn Construction, and the school administration was essential to keep the project on schedule and ensure a safe, secure environment on campus.