NAYA Front Office Elevator

Akana served as prime consultant for a multi-phase renovation of NAYA’s elementary school in Portland, Oregon, designed to improve accessibility, functionality, and security for students, elders, staff, and visitors. The first phase, completed in 2026, added a two-story masonry elevator tower and remodeled classroom and hallway spaces within the existing 25,000-square-foot, two-story school built in 1964. A planned second phase will relocate administrative offices from a cluster of small backroom offices to the main building entrance, creating a secure reception area with oversight of both a new entry lobby and the existing main hallway. The reconfigured front office will include a reception area, four private offices, and a conference room, while the former office space will be converted into a multipurpose Elders classroom with a private conference room and restroom.

Akana provided architectural and engineering services, including mechanical systems and structural design, as well as concept design, construction documents, bidding support, and construction administration. The completed addition delivers new accessible vertical connections—elevator, stairway, and ramping—ensuring inclusive movement throughout the campus. These upgrades offer elders and individuals with limited mobility improved access between building levels and outdoor amenities, addressing a long-standing need for accessibility.