On the Boards: The State-of-the-Art Rebuild of West High School
Salt Lake City School District is embarking on an inspiring journey to rebuild one of its most distinguished institutions: West High School. Working in collaboration with VCBO Architects and the Salt Lake City School District, Envision Engineering is proud to provide full-service electrical engineering and lighting design as part of the design team for this landmark project. With an estimated cost of $300 million, the rebuild is designed to honor the past while building for the future.
To minimize disruption and maintain safety and operational continuity, the project will unfold in two major phases. Phase 1 includes the construction of new academic buildings in the block east of the existing school and is scheduled to start in November 2025, with completion expected in June 2030. Phase 2, construction of athletic fields and sports facilities, will begin in June 2030 with a completion scheduled for June 2032.
Cutting Edge School Design: Preserving Heritage while Designing Forward
One of the most compelling aspects of the new West High School plan is the thoughtful way the project balances historical preservation with modern, advanced K-12 school design. At a public open house on September 9, 2025, the District shared renderings, plans, and key components of the state-of-the-art project:
The iconic clock tower and historic main entrance façade of the existing West High building will be preserved and serve as a ceremonial entrance—especially visible and meaningful across the street between the future athletic stadium and from the glass atrium and commons area of the new 5-story academic classroom tower.
A skybridge over 300 West Street will physically link the academic campus to the athletic facilities to provide safety, connectivity, and ease of movement for students and staff.
Natural light plays a central role. Large windows, floor-to-ceiling glass in common areas, and visibility to preserved architectural features (like the original entrance) help connect students to both the past and their learning environment.
Flexible, multi-use learning spaces and classrooms are based on need, with faculty having separate office spaces and rotating among classrooms.
Athletic and performing art facilities include an auditorium with a capacity of approximately 1,100 seats, a large gymnasium, a field house, new athletic fields, synthetic turf, and upgraded track and tennis facilities.
An integrated health clinic, in partnership with the University of Utah Health, provides accessibility to important physical and mental health services for students ages 12–19 throughout the district.
Envision's Role: Lighting and Electrical Design Excellence
At every step, Envision is committed to delivering thoughtful, high-performance design in electrical systems and lighting, ensuring the spaces are safe, functional, energyefficient, and aesthetic. Key electrical design features include electrical power distribution designed to support both campuses with learning, security, safety, and the flexibility to accommodate future needs. In addition, efficient lighting design maximizes daylighting and provides controls and LED lighting throughout to provide bright, comfortable lighting for the new modern academic, athletic, and community spaces. Accent lighting and exterior façade washes highlight the stunning new addition to the community.
A Bright Future
The West High School rebuild is more than a construction project—it is a reaffirmation of community, history, innovation, and future-oriented education. At Envision Engineering, we are honored to be partners in this vision. Our goal is to harness our expertise in electrical and lighting design to help make West High not only a landmark of architecture, but also a place where students thrive, traditions are honored, and the future is bright—in every sense. Stay tuned for more updates as design progresses and construction begins.