Austin ISD Austin, Texas Akins High School is a 315,000 SF high school built for a capacity of 2400 students. The facility is designed as four independent buildings around a central courtyard. The covered pathways between buildings provide shelter to students while allowing natural light and breezes into the courtyard. The classroom wing is designed along an east/west axis so that the classrooms receive north/south views, day-lighting and natural ventilation. The cafeteria also benefits from natural day-lighting. The heating and cooling system for the new High School is an efficient, four pipe system with a water cooled chiller. Paved areas and site disturbance were minimized by not exceeding local codes for parking requirements.