PROJECT

Discovery Middle School Addition.

Alexandria, Minnesota

Discovery Middle School Addition

project details.

Client

JLG Architects | ISD 206

Location

Alexandria, Minnesota

Services

Engineering
Structural

Origin Design, in partnership with JLG Architects and ISD 206, provided structural engineering services on an addition to Discovery Middle School in Alexandria, Minnesota.

The addition primarily included two gymnasiums—one holds two full basketball courts, a retractable batting cage, and volleyball nets, while the other houses gymnastics equipment that serves the entire district and community.

The project included details for a base bid and an alternate bid. The alternate bid in the gyms included translucent panels in the precast concrete walls. This affected the structural design of the roof structure since the base bid and alternate bid had differing load paths that had to be accommodated in the design and details. It was an economical way for the district to put the project out to bid and assess what could be built within their budget. The alternate bid with the translucent panels was ultimately selected allowing natural light into the gymnasium areas.

When working with additions on existing buildings, many conditions need to be field verified, even when there are existing drawings. The Discovery addition tied into a re-entrant corner of the existing building that was not perfectly built at a 90-degree angle. Origin provided input during construction, slightly adjusting the details and the location of the building to accommodate the existing conditions.

Follow our journey.

Another Field Trip Friday here at Origin Design! This week we're on the ground checking in on the new Westphal & Co Office & Shop Building, seeing progress from site sketch through the early stages of construction. We can't wait to see it continue to take shape!

As Architectural Intern ElleAnna DeSollar wraps up her summer at Origin Design, we're reflecting on the impact she made and the experiences she gained along the way. Before heading back to school, we asked ElleAnna to share a few highlights from her internship journey. Take a look at what she had to say!

We were proud to be a Hole Sponsor at the Annual Russell Charity Golf Outing. Connecting with community members, clients, partners, and friends is one of the many reasons we enjoy supporting events like this. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello and spend some time with our team!

Field Trip Friday! Our team was out on the Cheese Country Recreation Trail supporting one of several active projects with the Tri-County Trail Commission. From bridge measurements to survey work, we're helping gather the information needed to support trail improvements and protect areas impacted by erosion.We're proud to play a role in helping keep this community resource safe and accessible for everyone to enjoy!

Congratulations to our Employee Owners on their recent promotions! Your hard work, growth, and dedication continue to make a difference for our clients, team and community.

We're proud to have you on our #OriginCrew!

https://origindesign.com/.../origin-design-announces-2026...

The smell of fresh popcorn can only mean one thing: it’s Popcorn Thursday at Origin Design! A simple tradition that makes the workday a little more enjoyable.Shoutout to our Receptionist/Administrative Assistant, Karen Weber for making sure the popcorn machine is always working overtime. She’s the reason Thursdays are a whole lot better around here.

Have you heard the news? Origin Design is growing.

We're seeking experienced Transportation, Municipal, and/or Structural Engineers to join our team in our Dubuque or Davenport office. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact on the communities we serve, we'd love to hear from you!

See all open positions here: https://origindesign.com/careers

Join us in welcoming Laura Hernandez to Origin Design! Laura recently joined our Water Resources Team as an Engineering Designer. We can’t wait to see the amazing impact she’ll make in this position!

Welcome to the #origincrew, Laura!

Our team had an exciting afternoon celebrating the ribbon cutting of the Platteville Aquatic Center! We’re proud to have played a role in bringing this project to life by providing land development, architectural, and survey services. It’s always rewarding to help create spaces that will serve and strengthen the community for years to come.

Put your expertise to work on projects that shape communities and a career you’ll be proud of. Join Origin Design today! https://origindesign.com/careers

On International Women in Engineering Day, we celebrate the incredible impact of women across engineering. Thank you for the work you do every day to move us forward and inspire what’s next.

n Oelwein last month, Origin’s Construction Inspection and Testing team supported the 10th St. Bridge deck pour, part of the bridge and roadway projects we inspect across the region. We verified epoxy-coated rebar ahead of the pour, then performed on-site testing during placement including air, slump, and depth to confirm consistency and meet project specifications. From placement through curing, our team remained on-site to monitor, document, and help ensure the deck was built right.