Deseret Peak High School

Summarize the project's program, features and achievements?

Deseret Peak High School stands as a striking example of modern educational design, integrating cutting-edge construction techniques with aesthetic ambition. This 336,000 square-foot, three-level facility serves the Tooele County School District and was developed to accommodate the growing educational needs of the region while exemplifying high-performance, cost-efficient, and durable design solutions.

Tilt-up construction was a foundational element in both the structural and architectural identity of the school. The project features a combination tilt-up and masonry systems, with tilt-up concrete utilized not only for its structural efficiency but also for its aesthetic versatility. The exterior envelope showcases expansive tilt-up panels that establish a strong, contemporary profile. More notably, tilt-up construction is prominently celebrated within the interior spaces. Key areas such as the 1,200-seat auditorium, expansive student commons, and the gymnasium proudly features the exposed architectural concrete. The interior spaces demanded an exceptional level of craftsmanship, as the exposed tilt-up surfaces were not subject to the usual patching or painting techniques to conceal imperfections. Every panel was poured and finished to exacting standards to ensure visual continuity, material integrity, and long-term durability.

• 80-foot-tall tilt-up concrete walls exemplify the engineering challenges and creative solutions required for large-scale vertical construction.
• The combination of tilt-up and masonry not only supports structural loads but also provides thermal mass energy efficiency, acoustical performance, and long-term resilience.
• Interior architectural tilt-up was treated with the same level of precision as exterior finishes, demanding close collaboration between design, construction, and finishing teams.
• Deseret Peak High School exemplifies the evolving role of tilt-up concrete in contemporary educational architecture. This project pushes the boundaries of what tilt-up can achieve—not just as a cost-effective and efficient structural system, but as an expressive, celebrated architectural finish. The school stands as a testament to the material’s versatility and the craftsmanship of the team behind its execution.

What obstacles were overcome related to the schedule, budget, program, specification, site, etc. on this project?

The use of a combined tilt-up and CMU structural system proved to be a strategic solution to several project challenges. Leveraging the efficiency of tilt-up construction helped address a regional shortage of available masonry labor, allowing the project to maintain momentum despite workforce constraints. Additionally, the project incorporated 15-foot-tall tilt-up retaining walls that were critical to the overall construction sequencing. These elements were installed significantly faster than traditional cast-in-place methods, contributing to improved schedule performance and allowing other trades to proceed without delay.

One of the most demanding aspects of the project was the requirement for an exceptionally high standard of quality across a massive scale. With tilt-up panels reaching up to 80 feet in height and many surfaces left exposed in prominent interior spaces, there was no margin for error. Every panel had to meet rigorous aesthetic and structural standards on first execution, without relying on patching or cosmetic adjustments.

Please communicate any engineering complexities or unique features of the panel design for this project?

The panel design for Deseret Peak High School presented significant engineering challenges due to the sheer scale of the tilt-up elements. Achieving the required precision demanded extensive planning, highly detailed shop drawings, and carefully choreographed lifting sequences to ensure both safety and accuracy throughout the erection process.

One of the most distinctive features was the development of a custom form-liner system. This innovative approach virtually eliminated visible joints—even at panel corners—creating the visual effect of massive, monolithic walls. The result is a seamless architectural expression that enhances the building’s bold aesthetic and reinforces the impression of single-cast concrete elements.