New Canutillo ISD middle schools earn Texas Society of Architects design awards

The Canutillo Independent School District earned the prestigious Texas Society of Architects 2025 Studio Award for the approved architectural designs of the new Canutillo and Alderete middle schools that will begin construction in the fall. 

The 2024 Bond projects were designed in collaboration by DLR Group and Root Architects, using the natural beauty of the region and the innovative learning standards from the District as inspiration. The projects are managed by Procedeo Group on behalf of Canutillo ISD.

“The design of our new middle schools reflects Canutillo’s bold vision as a leader in Texas education and as a transformative force in the El Paso region,” said Board President Armando Rodriguez. “This award is a celebration of the creativity and commitment in our community, and a strong affirmation that together we are working to reach our full potential.”

The Studio Awards celebrate excellence in unbuilt architectural projects, highlighting designs that showcase outstanding ideas, thoughtful execution and creative vision. The Canutillo ISD middle schools were selected for their innovative and community-centered design approach that merges educational excellence with sustainability and local character, judges said.

The new campuses will replace the current Canutillo and Alderete middle schools, providing students across the district with modern, right-placed facilities that prioritize academic success, extracurricular engagement and personal growth. 

At the heart of each design is The Paseo — a central pathway that threads through the campus to foster movement, interaction and collaboration. Both campuses will feature future-ready classrooms, collaboration zones and open courtyards that extend from this central spine to create welcoming, flexible environments that support diverse learning needs. Other features include adaptable learning suites, outdoor classrooms, specialized labs and community-accessible athletic and performance spaces.

Although the two campuses will share a similar footprint to ensure equity and efficiency, each school will be uniquely tailored to reflect the identity, character and culture of the neighborhoods they will serve. Each will promote a sense of belonging and pride in the Canutillo community.  

The designs also integrate sustainability throughout by employing passive solar strategies, daylight harvesting, low volatile organic compound materials and energy-efficient systems.

“On behalf of DLR Group and Root, we want to thank the Canutillo ISD administration, staff and community for a successful design collaboration that included students, parents and educators,” said A.J. Sustaita, a Principal with the DLR Group and K-12 Education Lead.

“Our guiding principle on the designs of CMS and AMS was to represent the longstanding traditions and culture of Canutillo, while also looking toward the future in education to provide a best-in-class learning environment for all. Viva Canutillo!”

Construction on both campuses is set to begin this fall and is expected to take about two years. 

About the Canutillo Bond 

Voters in the Canutillo Independent School District passed the historic Canutillo Bond 2024 on May 4, 2024. Canutillo Bond 2024 is the largest per-capita school bond ever approved in El Paso County and is a catalyst program in helping Canutillo modernize existing campuses, address continued growth within the District’s boundaries and upgrade the District’s safety and security infrastructure.